Ruto Initiates Dialogue with Kenyatta Over Retirement Benefits Dispute

President William Ruto has taken proactive steps to address the ongoing dispute concerning the retirement benefits of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

The issue came to the forefront when Kenyatta publicly voiced concerns about the treatment of his office by the state, prompting the need for dialogue and resolution. According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, President Ruto initiated a telephone conversation with Kenyatta in a bid to resolve the matter promptly. As part of this effort, Ruto has established a team led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, tasked with addressing issues related to the location of the retired president's office and staffing arrangements.

The crux of the dispute lies in the allocation of funds to Kenyatta's office. The former president questioned the whereabouts of over Sh 1 billion (approximately 9 million USD) allocated to his office in both the previous and current financial years. Under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, Kenyatta is entitled to these benefits, which are not discretionary favours. Kenyatta's spokesperson Kanze Dena accuses the State House of hindering the operations of the retired president's office. Despite an allocation of Sh 503 million (about 4.5 million USD) for the current financial year, the office has not received any funds.

Additionally, Kenyatta highlights that he has not received the new vehicles stipulated by law, relying instead on an ageing transition fleet that the State House refuses to fuel and maintain. The financial situation has become dire, with the office being denied access to approximately Sh 1 billion over the past two years, affecting its ability to function effectively. While salaries and medical insurance have been paid, other expenditures remain unaccounted for. In the preceding financial year (2022/2023), parliament allocated Sh 655 million (around 5.9 million USD) to Kenyatta's office. However, only Sh 28 million (approximately 252,000 USD) has been confirmed as spent, primarily covering allowances for domestic travel and facilitation of official trips.