Government Fires Back At Retired President Uhuru Over Retirement Benefits

The National Government has denied claims made by the office of former President Uhuru Kenyatta regarding the alleged withholding of the budget allocated to his office for the 2023/2024 financial year.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, in a statement on Monday evening, criticized remarks made by former Statehouse Spokesperson Kanze Dena, stating that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta continues to receive all the benefits he is entitled to.

According to the Government Spokesperson, the office of the Retired President was supplied with 14 vehicles that are fueled and maintained at the State House.

He noted in the statement that the office falsely claimed that their fuel cards had been blocked. However, clarified that the vehicles are fueled through the State House master card and the records show that several vehicles were fueled as recently as May 15, 2024.

“The Office of the Third Retired President admits they have been provided with vehicles. We only differ on the number. The fact is that they have been provided with 14 vehicles.”

“These vehicles are fuelled and maintained at the State House. They also alleged falsely that their fuel cards had been blocked. We, however, put it on record that the vehicles are fuelled through the state house master card. Our records show that several vehicles were fuelled as recently as May 15, 2024,” read a statement.

Regarding the physical office of the Retired President, The Government Spokesperson remarked that the retired president's refusal of the physical office would force the Government to breach procurement laws, regulations, and procedures. Noting that Ruto’s administration, however, will not participate in such actions, as they pose a significant conflict of interest.

He added: “The office of the former President confirms that their staff are on government payroll. The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act specifies that a former President should have 34 staff. Already 33 are in office.”

“The Act also specifies that staff who work in the Office of the Retired President must be public servants. On Mr George Kariuki and Ms Kanze Dena, their names have not been forwarded to the State House Comptroller by the retired President for processing,” he stated.