Tuesday will mark the end of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term in office, and Treasury will send him a check for Sh39.6 million as a tax-free lump sum payment for his nine years in office.
A retiring president is entitled to a lump sum payment at retirement equal to one year’s salary for each term served, according to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2013.
Uhuru earned Sh 1.23 million monthly in his first term in office with an increase of Sh103,125 every year and this was revised to Sh 1.44 million in 2017 but after the court annulled it, it was reverted to the earlier figure. The
Uhuru will also be entitled to a Sh1.32 million monthly pension for the rest of his life. In addition, the retired president will be entitled to Sh216,563 to fuel his cars and Sh332,063 as a housing allowance each month.
The Act provides that a retired president is to get a monthly pension equal to 80 per cent of the monthly salary paid to the president, currently.
As a retired president, Uhuru will also get a monthly entertainment allowance of Sh200,000 and another Sh379,500 to pay for his electricity, telephone, and water bills. The government will also provide him with an office with the necessary staff that he needs.
The government will also provide him with six security guards plus four vehicles – two with an engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc and the others with a capacity not exceeding 4000 cc – replaceable every three years.
The president and first lady Margaret Kenyatta will also have diplomatic passports for the rest of their lives and will be entitled to international allowances for up to four trips per year as long as such travels do not exceed two weeks.
However, to benefit from the benefits, the president will be required to resign from his position as Chairman of Azimio la Umoja Political Party council and Jubilee Party Leader within the next six months.
Uhuru is also expected to play a consultative and advisory role in the government and Kenyans and may perform any duties requested of him by the government of the day and will be paid an allowance for the same, according to the Presidential Retirements Benefits Act, 2013.
