NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept, 12 – President-elect William Ruto will on Tuesday officially be sworn-in as the country’s fifth president in an elaborate ceremony at the 60,000 capacity Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani In Nairobi county.
Outgoing president Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to grace the event where he is expected to hand over power, kick-starting a new era in Kenyan politics.
As Kenyatta leaves office having served the constitutionally stipulated maximum of two, five-year terms in office, he is expected to become a ‘civilian’ albeit not as you would have imagined.
Kenyatta is set to receive various benefits upon his exit from office.
According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act Of 2003 and also as recently revised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Kenyatta is expected to pocket at least 39.6 million tax-free.
The lump sum payment will kick in once he exits office tomorrow.
According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, Kenyatta will take home a monthly pension of Sh1.32 million.
The figure may rise in light of current inflation trends.
Meanwhile for Kenyatta to access the money, he is expected to resign from any political party position.
According to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act,he/she is also entitled to,an entertainment allowance equal to fifteen per cent of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President, a housing allowance equal to twenty-three per cent of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President to cater for both an urban and a rural dwelling,suitable office space, not exceeding one thousand square metres, with appropriate furniture, furnishings, office machines, equipment and office supplies, to be provided and maintained by the Government and two new cars of the retired President’s choice, replaceable every three years, each car having an engine capacity not exceeding three thousand cubic centimetres.
A retired president is also entitled to, two four-wheel drive motor vehicles of the retired President’s choice, replaceable every three years, each vehicle having an engine capacity of at least 3,000, 400 cubic centimetres,a fuel allowance equal to 15 per cent of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President,an allowance equal to 23 per cent of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President for electricity, water and telephone facilities and full medical and hospital cover, providing for local and overseas treatment, with a reputable insurance company for the retired President and his spouse and his children under the age of 18 years.
Retired President Staff
The professional and other staff required to be provided for a retired President under the Schedule shall be public officers, but no person shall be appointed or posted to serve on such staff except with the concurrence of the retired President and such staff shall, in the performance of their duties, be responsible only to the retired President.
Funds For Expenses
“A retired President shall, at least three months before the commencement of each financial year, submit estimates of all the expenditure required in respect of the benefits to which he is entitled under this Act for that year, to the Minister responsible for finance for approval,” read a section of the Act.
Others expenses incurred in the administration of the provisions of the Act are said to be met by monies appropriated by Parliament.
Upon the death of a serving President or of a retired President who is in receipt of or who is entitled to a pension under this Act, his surviving spouse shall be entitled to benefits amounting to fifty per cent of such pension.
Additional Benefits Of A Retired President
A retired president is entitled to, two personal assistants, our secretaries, four messengers, and four drivers.
“Such number of guards for personal and escort unit use as may from time to time be certified by the Minister responsible for national security in consultation with the retired President; Provided that there shall be a maximum of six security guards,” read a section of the Act.
Adequate security at the retired President’s urban and rural residences as may from time to time be certified by the Minister responsible for national security in consultation with the retired President: Provided that there shall be a maximum of six security guards.
A retired president is also entitled to, a diplomatic passport as well as another for his spouse, an international travel allowance of up to four trips a year not exceeding two weeks each, and access to the V.I.P. lounge at all airports within Kenya.
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