Senate motion targets Uhuru benefits as Jubilee leaders insist he has right to speak

The motion was introduced in the Senate on Monday, days after Kenyatta addressed Jubilee delegates in Narok by phone and accused President William Ruto of trying to gag him.

Cherargei claimed the former Head of State “cannot have his cake and eat it”, saying Kenyatta cannot continue drawing retirement benefits while remaining Jubilee party leader more than three years after leaving office.

“He is still the party leader of Jubilee… In the phone call he said he wants to be politically active,” Cherargei said.

The senator said the motion is set to be debated on Tuesday afternoon.

“The only punishment you can give is to remove that money and reallocate for other needs we have in this country,” he said.

However, Jubilee leaders and allies dismissed the proposal, insisting Kenyatta has a constitutional right to express himself.

Jubilee party leader Fred Matiang’i said the government’s reaction to Kenyatta’s remarks was excessive.

“The former President makes just one phone call and the government screams the entire weekend. What kind of people are these?” Matiang’i said.

Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta argued that retirement benefits for former presidents are not favours to be withdrawn.

“Retirement benefits for Presidents are not favors to be withdrawn at will. I want to challenge President Ruto to come out himself and talk about this issue instead of using sidekicks,” Kenta said.

The debate has also drawn reactions from leaders linked to the Linda Mwananchi faction, who defended Kenyatta amid the mounting attacks.

The Constitution, under Article 151(3), states that retirement benefits payable to a former President and former Deputy President “shall not be varied to their disadvantage during their lifetime.”