Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has begun collecting his monthly pension of KSh1.32 million, as the government withholds an additional KSh655 million intended for a fully furnished office, luxury vehicles, and support staff salaries until his official departure from party politics.
Since December 1, Mr. Kenyatta has been receiving the KSh1.32 million monthly pension, accompanied by a KSh39.6 million lump sum payment, as disclosed in Treasury documents.
To access the KSh655 million retirement benefits package, which includes a fully equipped office, staff, and high-end automobiles, the former president must first formally retire from his involvement in party politics. This measure is in place to avoid contravening legal provisions prohibiting retired presidents from holding office in a political party for more than six months following their departure from the presidency.
According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, “A retired president shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as president.”
In February of last year, Mr. Kenyatta was offered a five-year term as the head of the Jubilee Party and currently serves as the chairman of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s council. This coalition provided the platform for seasoned opposition leader Raila Odinga’s fifth, albeit unsuccessful, bid for the Kenyan presidency.