The National Treasury has omitted allocations for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s retirement office and staff from the budget for the year starting July, another pointer to the Head of State’s quest to remain active in party politics.
The budget estimates tabled in Parliament failed to allocate an estimated Sh100 million that would have catered for a fully furnished office for the retired president, aides, limousines and other perks like house, fuel and entertainment allowances.
It is understood that the Treasury is avoiding breaching sections of the law that bars a retired president from holding office in a political party six months after retirement.
Voters are due to go to the polls on August 9 but Mr Kenyatta will not be on the ballot due to a constitutional term limit of two five-year terms.
Mr Kenyatta was in February offered a five-year term as head of Jubilee Party and is listed as chairman of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s council, the vehicle veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga used to launch his fifth bid for Kenya’s presidency.
The law allows the Treasury to provide a retired president with a monthly pension of Sh691,200 irrespective of political affiliation.