Ksh.48M one-year salary, Ksh.2.6M monthly pension, 12 vehicles: Gov't lists Uhuru’s retirement benefits

The government has come out to dismiss recent concerns that it had slashed off the retirement benefits of both former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the nation’s founding First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, in a statement on Friday, highlighted the benefits accorded to the retired Head of State, saying President William Ruto's administration has continually honoured its constitutional requirements.

He said Uhuru had already received an accumulative pension of Ksh.48 million and is now enjoying a monthly salary of Ksh.1.6 million together with monthly allowances amounting to Ksh.1 million.

According to Mwaura, the monthly allowances totalling Ksh.1 million include Ksh.200,000 entertainment allowance, Ksh.300,000 house allowance, Ksh.200,000 fuel allowance, and a Ksh.300,000 allowance for water, electricity, and telephone services.

"The government is committed to supporting the office of retired presidents and other State officers in accordance with the laws. The Kenya Kwanza government is firmly against the weaponization of State resources. The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act demands that former presidents receive pensions and other retirement benefits after leaving office," stated Mwaura.

"Contrary to some opinions, the government has consistently honoured its obligations to retired presidents, vice presidents, and the former prime minister."

Mwaura went on to reveal that Uhuru also benefits from a comprehensive medical and hospital cover worth Ksh.20 million for both local and overseas treatment for himself and his spouse, adding that all the benefits are exempted from tax.

He said the third President and former First Lady Mama Ngina were also catered for by the State having furnished offices, 12 vehicles that are maintained and fueled by the government according to the law, as well as a 33-member staff who are enlisted and paid by the administration of the day.

"The retired third president enjoys a fully furnished and maintained office space of his choice, which is fully furnished and paid for by the government. He is entitled to two new cars of his choice, replaceable every three years, with an engine capacity of at least 3000cc. Additionally, he is entitled to two other vehicles with an engine capacity of 3,400cc, also replaceable every three years," Mwaura stated.

Among the vehicles allocated to Kenyatta and the First Lady are two Toyota Land Cruisers with a 4,000cc engine capacity, one Mercedes Benz with a 5,000cc engine, four Toyota Prados with 2,700cc engines, two Range Rovers with 4,200cc engines, two Range Rovers with 5,000cc engines, and one Subaru Forester with a 2,000cc engine.

Mwaura went ahead to list the 33-member staff in Uhuru’s office among them; 2 private secretaries, 3 principal assistant hospitality officers, 2 senior assistant hospitality officers, 2 drivers, 3 public communication assistants, 2 assistant superintendent gardens, one head housekeeper and one head waiter.

Others are 3 assistant hospitality officers, 2 doctors, 1 deputy director of programmes, one director of hospitality, 2 photographers, 2 paramedics, one principal programmes officer, one principal finance officer, one editor, one social media manager and one director in the office of administrative services.

The government Spokesperson underscored that each of the staffers is well paid, with some at higher job groups at the level of a Principal Secretary, adding that Uhuru continues to enjoy VIP protection and his homes are as well heavily guarded by the police.

At the same time, Mwaura noted that the same retirement benefits had also been accorded to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice Presidents Moody Awori and Kalonzo Musyoka.

"The government also continues to honour and dignify other retired state officers, including the former prime minister Rt. Raila Odinga, the first retired vice president Moody Awori, and the second retired vice president Kalonzo Musyoka, each with three vehicles, in line with the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act after its gazettement in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 108 (Act No. 12) of January 9, 2004, and the Presidential Retirement Benefits (Amendment) Act 2013 in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 16 (Act No. 9) of January 25, 2013. Their vehicles shall be replaced as per schedule," he stated.