Senator Pushes for Audit and Potential Withdrawal of Uhuru Kenyatta’s State Benefits
Nairobi — Samson Cherargei has tabled a motion in the Senate seeking a comprehensive audit and possible scrapping of state-funded retirement benefits awarded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing alleged violations of the law governing retired heads of state.
The motion, dated May 4, 2026, raises concerns over the former President’s continued involvement in active politics, which the senator argues contravenes provisions of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act. The law outlines the conditions under which retired presidents receive pensions and privileges, while also requiring them to maintain political neutrality.
In the motion presented to the Senate, Cherargei states:
“THAT, AWARE THAT, the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act provides for the granting of pension and other retirement benefits to former holders of the office of President upon ceasing to hold office, with the intention of safeguarding the dignity of the office and ensuring that retired Presidents remain non-partisan and available for national advisory roles.”
He further cites Section 6 of the Act, noting:
“COGNIZANT THAT, Section 6 of the Act restricts a retired President from active engagement in political party activities beyond the prescribed period and envisages a neutral, consultative, and advisory role for the benefit of the nation.”
At the centre of the debate is whether taxpayers should continue funding a retired Head of State who is allegedly engaged in partisan political activities. The motion claims that since leaving office, Kenyatta has participated in political rallies, issued public statements perceived as endorsing or opposing political factions, and taken part in mobilisation efforts tied to ongoing political contests.
The senator argues that such actions undermine the spirit and letter of the law, warranting parliamentary intervention. He has urged the Senate to exercise its constitutional oversight role over public finances to address what he describes as a potential misuse of state resources.
As part of the proposed resolution, the motion calls on the Office of the Auditor-General to conduct a full audit of all public funds and resources allocated to the former President under the Act. The audit, if approved, would be carried out in collaboration with relevant state agencies and submitted to the Senate within 60 days.
“The Office of the Auditor-General, in collaboration with relevant state agencies, shall undertake a comprehensive audit of all public resources allocated to the retired President under the Act and submit a report to this House within sixty (60) days,” Cherargei stated.
Additionally, the motion proposes that any funds recovered following the audit be redirected toward public welfare programmes, rather than being absorbed back into general government expenditure without a defined public benefit.
For the motion to pass, it must secure the support of at least two-thirds of Members of Parliament, as stipulated under Section 4 of the Act—a high threshold that underscores the political weight of the proposal.
The development is likely to intensify political tensions, as it places renewed scrutiny on the role of retired presidents in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
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