President William Ruto has held talks with his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta regarding the fund allocation to the office of the fourth president.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the two leaders had a conversation and constituted a team to iron out the issues.
The Team to address the issues raised by the Office of the 4th President will be led by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
“This morning, President William Ruto had a conversation with his predecessor in office, the 4th President, President Uhuru Kenyatta, regarding concerns about facilitating the functioning of the retired President’s office,” Hussein said.
“President Ruto has consequently constituted a team, led by the Head of Public Service, to immediately address all the issues raised, including the location of the retired President’s office and the attendant staff establishment.”
Ruto, Uhuru Hold Talks Over After Decry
The meeting comes after Uhuru’s spokesperson Kanze Dena stated that the office of the fourth president had not received approximately Ksh1 billion in the last two years as mandated by the Constitution.
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She explained that Uhuru’s office received only Ksh28 million out of the Ksh655 million allocated to it in the last financial year.
“In 2022/23 parliament allocated this office Ksh655 million, to date the office can only confirm absorption of roughly Ksh28 million spread across payment for allowance for domestic travels, facilitation of the trips that I mentioned earlier,” Kanze Dena said
Kanze Dena added that it was approximately 4.4% of the total budget for that year which does not include the payment of salaries and medical insurance.
Kanze Dena Reveals Uhuru’s Office Being Denied Funds
Besides, the spokesperson revealed that the office has not received any funds from the government in current financial year.
“The financial year 2023/24 that ends in a few weeks, the budget allocation for this office was Ksh503 million, the year is ending without the office having any access to this allocation,” she said.
Additionally, Uhuru’s office dismissed the budget estimates claiming that the office will receive Ksh450 million and Ksh457 million in 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.
Furthermore, she revealed that State House has not been sponsoring Uhuru’s official trips despite the former president undertaking various international roles within the East African Community (EAC) region.
Also Read: Ruto Govt Answers Uhuru After Ranting
In his response on June 10, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the state diligently pays the salaries of the retired President, his staff and their allowances.
He said the Comptroller originates the budget and defends it in Parliament adding that there was no compelling obligation to seek concurrence on the budget with the Office of the Retired President.”
Subsequently, he added that State House also maintains and fuels the 14 vehicles, and facilitates all travels for the former President, both local and international.
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