A political storm has erupted over former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s retirement benefits, with allies of President William Ruto dismissing claims of a government-backed push to strip his perks.
The row was sparked by Samson Cherargei, who alleged that the state could move to withdraw Uhuru’s benefits on the grounds that he is actively involved in politics.
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The Nandi senator stirred debate on Monday after indicating he would push a motion in the Senate to have the benefits reviewed and possibly redirected “to serve the interests and welfare of the people of Kenya”.
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But by Tuesday, there was little indication that such a move had any backing within government ranks.
The matter did not feature on the Senate’s Order Paper, and sources within the House indicated that no formal process was under way to actualise the proposal.
“No one will ever consider such a motion, given its polarising nature. We all know it’s a ruse for headlines and social media traction,” a senior Senate official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The source dismissed the proposal as politically motivated and unlikely to gain traction, drawing parallels with previous initiatives by Cherargei that failed to materialise, including a controversial attempt to extend presidential term limits.
“Remember his bill on increasing term limits?” the official posed, suggesting the latest push could meet a similar fate.
Within President Ruto’s inner circle, the reaction was even sharper, with allies distancing the administration from the senator’s claims.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi accused Cherargei of advancing the agenda of the President’s critics, dismissing the proposal as political theatrics.
“Don’t drag us into this nonsense… we know you’re colluding,” Sudi said in a post on his social media pages.
Other leaders privately suggested the move could be part of broader political manoeuvres as alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
At the centre of the controversy is a benefits package that remains one of the most generous for retired public officials.
Treasury disclosures show Uhuru is set to receive a package worth nearly Sh260 million annually, in addition to a monthly pension of about Sh1.2 million.
The allocation covers a wide range of expenses, including staff salaries, travel, utilities, insurance and office maintenance, all funded by taxpayers.
The former president is entitled to a fully staffed office, security personnel and support staff at both his rural and urban residences, alongside logistical and administrative support.
The scale of the benefits has, in the past, drawn public scrutiny, particularly at a time when the government is under pressure to rein in spending amid a rising debt burden and constrained revenues.
Even so, the law sets a high threshold for any attempt to withdraw or reduce such benefits.
Under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, Parliament must pass a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of members of the National Assembly to deny a former president their entitlements.
The law limits such action to specific circumstances, including where a former president is found to have violated the constitution, engaged in gross misconduct, or is convicted of an offence and sentenced to at least three years in prison without the option of a fine.
It also provides that benefits may be adjusted if a retired president takes up public office, with the perks reduced by the value of their salary.
On political activity, the law states that a retired president should not hold office in a political party beyond six months after leaving office, and is expected to play a largely advisory role to the state and the public.
This provision has fuelled debate over Uhuru’s perceived involvement in opposition politics, an issue that has increasingly become a point of contention within political circles.
However, there is no formal finding or legal process under way that would trigger the withdrawal of his benefits.
Uhuru had previously complained that his retirement benefits were not being disbursed consistently in the early days of the Ruto administration, though the payments have since stabilised.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
For now, insiders say the latest claims are far-fetched, dismissing them as political gimmicks by President Ruto’s detractors. They, however, point to political undercurrents as the country edges closer to the next election cycle. Even so, the episode underscores how the question of former presidents’ privileges and their role in active politics is fast becoming part of the contest shaping the road to 2027.
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