The Treasury has proposed significant cuts to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s retirement benefits, reducing his allocation by Sh94.6 million in the upcoming fiscal year starting July.
The move comes amid escalating political tensions between the former head of state and the current administration.
According to budget documents tabled in Parliament, Kenyatta’s retirement perks will decrease from Sh371.46 million to Sh276.85 million, representing a 25.5 percent reduction.
The cuts target several areas including foreign travel, which will be slashed by Sh46.5 million, insurance costs by Sh23 million, and domestic travel by Sh11 million.
The proposed reductions also affect other former high-ranking officials.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will see his office allocation reduced from Sh87.2 million to Sh63.27 million, while former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s perks will be cut from Sh81.36 million to Sh52.9 million.
Moody Awori, who served as Vice President between 2003 and 2007, will experience a Sh20.28 million reduction, bringing his allocation to Sh53.9 million.
These cuts, totaling Sh167.2 million across all four offices, disproportionately affect Kenyatta, whose reductions account for 56.6 percent of the total amount.
The timing of these proposed cuts is significant, occurring as President William Ruto’s allies have intensified criticism of the former president, accusing him of political interference.
Kenyatta has recently criticized the government’s economic policies and encouraged youth to voice their grievances, statements that have drawn sharp rebuke from the current administration.
Meanwhile, Odinga, traditionally an opposition figure, has formed closer ties with President Ruto since last year, resulting in appointments of several of his party members to Cabinet and Principal Secretary positions.
It’s important to note that these office allocations are separate from the monthly pensions these leaders receive, which are pegged at 80 percent of their former salaries.
Kenyatta will continue to receive a pension of Sh16,776,150 in the new fiscal year.
The benefits package for retired presidents includes staff allowances for personal assistants, secretaries, messengers, drivers, and bodyguards. They are also entitled to four cars including two limousines (replaced every four years), full medical coverage, and fully furnished offices.
This is not the first time that retirement benefits for former presidents have faced scrutiny.
In 2015, the High Court halted certain allowances worth millions to former Presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, describing them as an “unnecessary burden” on taxpayers.
The proposed cuts come at a time when the government has repeatedly emphasized the need for austerity measures to manage the country’s growing public sector wage bill.
A two-year standoff over Kenyatta’s office location was reportedly resolved earlier this year, with President Ruto allowing the former president an office adjacent to State House.
However, recent developments suggest the reconciliation was short-lived, with what political analysts describe as a “collapsed ceasefire” between the two leaders.
The Treasury’s proposals will need parliamentary approval before taking effect in the new fiscal year.
