State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed has addressed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s office was denied funds in the last two budgets.
During a presser at Harambee House on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Mohamed said that sufficient provisions have been made for Kenyatta’s official engagements noting that there exists a vacant office used by other former presidents that he can utilize as he wishes.
The government wants Uhuru to move into the office building at Nairobi’s Nyari estate that was previously designated for the late President Mwai Kibaki.
“There’s an office complex in Nyari that has been used by a previous president, the late President Mwai Kibaki, and he occupied that office for 9 years. It is very well known that it is there and it’s vacant and President Uhuru Kenyatta can use that office as and when he deems fit,” Mohamed stated.
“As for the other matters about budget, there are channels and mechanisms to access budget and provision in the Office of the Fourth President and all those have been provided for officially for any official engagement,” the spokesperson clarified on budgetary arrangement for the fourth President’s office.
Uhuru’s office
This comes hot on reports that the former president’s office had been denied funds allocated to it in the last two budgets.
The reports further indicate that the office of the former President has not been receiving funding for new vehicles or their maintenance, leaving the former President to cover these costs out of his pocket.
The reports add that staff contracts have not been renewed and that the office is operating with fewer personnel than required.
The office is also said to be deprived of funds for travel expenses, including air tickets and staff allowances.
Law on retired president’s office
By law, a retired president is entitled to an office and a permanent staff, who will be public employees paid according to the terms set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Additionally, a retired president receives a retirement package and have their insurance costs covered, among other benefits.
