Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has 30 days to make a tough decision: Whether to remain in Azimio or quit to enjoy generous retirement perks.
Uhuru is one of the wealthiest men in Kenya and could yet be a stumbling block to the ambitions of President William Ruto in 2027.
He is the chairman of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance Council, the highest decision-making organisation of the opposition coalition.
The law provides that a retired president must quit active politics or any political office within six months of leaving office to enjoy hefty retirement benefits.
“A retired President shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as President,” the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, 2003, states.
Constitutionally, Uhuru’s term ended with the August 9 general election, even though he remained in office under temporary incumbency until September 15, when he handed over power to his successor.
With August 9 as the reference point, Uhuru should exit the Azimio job by February 9 — 30 days away — to enjoy the benefits stipulated in the Act.
On Sunday, Azimio party leader and Uhuru’s handshake partner Raila Odinga rubbished reports Uhuru would be resigning as the Azimio chairman.
Raila said they were working with Uhuru on a robust campaign plan to revamp the coalition ahead of the 2027 polls.
“He (Uhuru) is in Azimio to stay. I was with Uhuru on Sunday and I talked to him this morning. Uhuru is a member and part and parcel of Azimio leadership,” the ODM boss said in Mombasa.
Uhuru and Raila spent their weekend in the coastal city.
However, Raila’s sentiments appear to contradict the position of Jubilee Party leadership that Uhuru would be resigning from the post to focus on his peace-building initiatives in Africa as he enjoys his retirement benefits.
Uhuru is leading peace efforts in Ethiopia and in eastern DRC following his appointment by President William Ruto as Kenya's peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
“We will be having a meeting very soon where he will formally resign as the chairman of the Azimio Council,” Jubilee deputy vice chairman David Murathe said last month.
“Obviously, you cannot have two drivers steering a bus. This vehicle called Azimio now has one driver and that driver is Jakom (Raila),” Murathe added.
Uhuru has been deafeningly silent and conspicuously missing from both his Jubilee Party and Azimio activities since he retired.
He did not attend the Coalition’s anti-Ruto rally in Nairobi and also skipped Azimio elected leaders’ meeting in Naivasha, Rongai and Machakos.
The former President last participated in the coalition’s events on September 7, when he hosted the outfit’s elected leaders at State House, Nairobi.
In the tempting perks, Uhuru, if he exits politics, will take home at least Sh39.6 million tax-free in a lumpsum payment
He will also pocket Sh1.32 million in monthly pension plus a host of benefits.
In addition, the former President is also entitled to a monthly entertainment allowance equal to 15 per cent of his monthly salary and a house allowance of about Sh300,000, or 23 per cent of his monthly pay.
The retired President is to be paid about Sh300,000 for electricity, water and telephone facilities and round-the-clock security.
He is entitled to four cars, two of them new and of his choice, which would be replaceable every three years, and two four-wheel drive vehicles.
The former head of state is also entitled to four drivers with taxpayers' paying about Sh220,000 every month to fuel the cars.
Uhuru will also get two cooks, four housekeepers, four gardeners, two laundry persons and four house cleaners. He is entitled to a maximum of six security guards at his urban and rural homes.
“A retired president shall, during his lifetime, be entitled to suitable office space, not exceeding 1,000square metres, with appropriate furniture, furnishings, office machines, equipment and office supplies, to be provided and maintained by the government,” the Act reads.
The Azimio Council has in its ranks among others Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kanu leader Gideon Moi, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
Other members are nominated MP Sabina Chege, former Taita Taveta MP Naomi Shaban, former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, former Kanduyi MP and Bungoma Senator hopeful Wafula Wamunyinyi, Abdi Noor Farah, and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed as secretary general.
Uhuru exiting Azimio and politics altogether would likely rock the opposition coalition and his party, Jubilee.
“Uhuru’s continued silence will hurt his party. He needs to break the ice and reorganise his party. He is so silent to many politicians who sacrificed their political ambitions because of him,” Chege said.
Already, there are reports of leadership wrangles emerging, with Kalonzo angling to takeover stewardship of the mega coalition political party.
However, Raila dismissed the alleged wrangles, averring the opposition vehicle was intact and was preparing to revamp itself for the 2027 general election.
(Edited by V.Graham)