The government has responded to claims that former president Uhuru Kenyatta does not receive retirement benefits as mandated by the Constitution, denying the allegations.
Through his spokeswoman, Kanze Dena, the former president told the media that his office has been starved of its appropriate packages, including financial allocations, causing the former president to foot costs the state should pay.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has, however, denied the allegations, stating that Kenyatta's office has been granted 14 cars fuelled and maintained by the State House.
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“They also alleged falsely that their fuel cards have 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,” said Mwaura.
He stated that the government has records of Kenyatta's office's care service records as recent as May 15, 2024.
“The office also claimed that the vehicles are old and not deserving of the retired President. But the records are clear: The vehicles were bought in the years ranging between 2020, 2021 and 2022. They are, therefore, very befitting of the person of the third retired President,” Mwaura said.
According to the government, Kenyatta's office has requested four cars totaling Ksh.140 million.
Kenyatta's office had stated that it had been assigned two Toyota Land Cruisers, a Mercedes Benz, and a Range Rover used by former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, all of which Dena claimed were outdated and violated the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
On the quality of Kenyatta's office, Mwaura stated that the late President Mwai Kibaki's office in Nairobi's Nyari estate, which he occupied from 2013 to 2022 and which the government acquired, is "suitable for any retired President."
“By rejecting this office and preferring that the government leases his own private home, the third retired president is inviting the government to violate procurement laws, regulations and procedures,” said the government spokesperson.
Mwaura claimed George Kariuki's and Kanze Dena's names had yet to be given to the State House Controller for processing.
He stated that Ruto's administration dutifully pays the retiring president's salary, staff, and allowances, fuels his 14 vehicles, and supports all of his travels.
