President William Ruto has responded to allegations laid by former President Uhuru Kenyatta that the government is not sponsoring the operations of his office.
In a statement, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the state diligently pays the salaries of the retired President, his staff and their allowances.
“The retired President’s budget is under the State House Comptroller, who is the accounting officer of the State House, including the Office of the Retired President,” read the statement in part.
“The Comptroller originates the budget and defends it in Parliament. There was therefore no compelling obligation to seek concurrence on the budget with the Office of the Retired President.”
Mwaura said that State House also maintains and fuels the 14 vehicles, and facilitates all travels for the former President, both local and international.
“It is critical to point out that the Act provides that only four foreign trips should be fully paid for and for a maximum of 14 days. As for daily subsistence when on official duty, Public Service Commission and National Treasury regulations apply,” Mwaura said.
Uhuru Old Vehicles Allegation
The government differed with the number of vehicles mentioned by Uhuru’s spokesperson Kanze Dena affirming that they have been provided with 14 vehicles.
Besides, he stated that the vehicles given to Uhuru are fuelled and maintained at the State House.
“They also alleged falsely that their fuel cards have been blocked. We, however, put it on record that the vehicles are fuelled through the State House Master Card. Our records show that several vehicles were fuelled as recently as May 15, 2024,” he said.
He clarified that the vehicles are routinely maintained and serviced at State House, with services offered as recently as April 5, May 7, May 8, and May 15, 2024.
Also Read: Uhuru Clarifies Reports of Govt Not Funding His Office
Mwaura also dismissed Kanze Dena’s claims that the vehicles are old and not deserving of the retired President.
“The vehicles were bought in the years ranging between 2020, 2021 and 2022. They are, therefore, very befitting of the person of the third retired President. They include 2 Range Rover Autobiography, 2 Range Rover Sport, Mercedes S600L, Armoured Land Cruiser V8 and 4 Prados,” he said.
Moreover, he revealed that Uhuru’s office sent a request for 4 vehicles whose cost is Ksh140 million.
This includes a Range Rover Vogue (First Edition) at Ksh51.3 million, Mercedes Benz $500 worth Ksh66.4 million, Toyota Land Cruiser ZX-VXRK6 worth Ksh22.5 million and Toyota Fortuner at Ksh10.6 million.
Ruto on Office Claims
He explained that the government purchased an office of the retired President in financial year 2012/2013 located in Nyari, Nairobi.
Mwaura said the late President Mwai Kibaki used the office for 9 nine years, between 2013 and 2022.
He maintained that the office a suitable office for any retired President, but Uhuru rejected it.
“By rejecting this office and preferring that the government leases his own private home, the Third Retired President is inviting the government to violate procurement laws, regulations, and procedures,” Mwaura said.
“The Third Retired President wants to be both a landlord and a tenant at the same time. It is an adventure that the government cannot engage in as this is a serious conflict of interest.”
Also Read: Gov’t Reveals Tax-Free Millions Uhuru Pockets as Retirement Benefits
Staff
Mwaura argued that Kanze Dena confirmed that Uhuru’s are on government payroll.
He said the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act specifies that a former president should have 34 staff and Uhuru has 33 of them.
“The Act also specifies that staff who work in the Office of the Retired President must be public servants. On George Kariuki and Kanze Dena, their names have not been forwarded to the State House Comptroller by the retired President for processing,” he said.
Kanze Dena earlier issued a statement accuse President Ruto led regime of not allocating the needed funds to the office of the fourth president as required by law.
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