Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey has filed a motion seeking to terminate retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s benefits for engaging in active politics.

Cherarkey accused the country’s fourth president of violating provisions of Presidential Retirement Benefits Act severally since he retired in September 2022 and thus doesn’t deserve the package.

He cited section 6 of the Act, which restricts a retired President from active engagement in political party activities beyond the prescribed period and envisages a neutral, consultative, and advisory role for the benefit of the nation; and not engage in partisan politics.

The Senator said the former president has, since leaving office, been publicly reported and widely documented to have actively participated in partisan political processes.

The motion points out that Uhuru has attending and addressing political rallies and meetings aligned to specific political formations and also been issuing public statements perceived as endorsing or opposing political actors and parties.

He further accuses Uhuru of engaging in consultative and mobilization activities associated with ongoing political contests and party positions across various parts of the country.

“Such actions, if established, amount to active engagement in political party activities contrary to the spirit and letter of the Act, thereby undermining the rationale for the continued enjoyment of publicly funded retirement benefits,” the motion reads in part.

Cherarkey then demanded; “NOW THEREFORE, Parliament resolves that the retirement benefits and allowances accruing to the retired President, Uhuru Kenyatta, be withdrawn and/or reduced, in accordance with section 4 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.”

It adds; “This House recommends the revocation, variation, or reallocation of budgetary provisions relating to the benefits of the retired President, in line with the findings of the audit and subject to approval in accordance with the law.”

He is also seeking the Office of the Auditor-General, in collaboration with relevant state agencies, shall undertake a comprehensive audit of all public resources allocated to the retired President under the Act and submit a report to this House within sixty (60) days.

He wants parliament to recommend that any funds recovered from benefits previously accorded to the retired President shall be redirected to serve the interests and welfare of the people of Kenya.

The move comes just three days after Uhuru told off the ruling party for demanding that he keeps off politics and just hours after his Jubilee party held a press conference to defend him.

“I am not in active politics, but I have a right to campaign for my party. I seek no elective seat, but I am a Jubilee member. It is worrying to see people who, instead of selling their party’s agenda, keep meddling with other parties. We will not be bothered by people who are out to fill their stomachs. We tell them we know our new crop of leaders; let them go engage in their politics elsewhere,” Uhuru told Jubilee party meeting via his brother Muhoho Kenyatta’s mobile phone on Friday May 1.

And today Monday, his Jubilee Party defended him saying the constitution guarantees every person a right of association and expression and that Uhuru is not an exception.

"The fixation on Uhuru Kenyatta must be understood. It is not about him. It is about the failure to confront present realities. Such statements are not only constitutionally untenable; they represent a dangerous erosion of the respect and dignity accorded to the Office of the President, both past and present," read the statement signed by the Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta.