President William Ruto's troops have engaged in a multi-pronged strategy to politically ground his main political opponents and are now seeking to terminate their fat retirement benefits.
In a new plan, Ruto MPs are seeking to have retirement benefits for retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Azimio leader Raila Odinga and Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka stopped over their involvement in politics.
The pro-government legislators also want political parties participating in the anti-government demonstrations to be denied the Political Parties Fund.
The details emerged on a day Raila and Kalonzo's security was withdrawn, dealing a blow to their Tuesday mass action.
Kenya Kwanza legislators led by Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe accused the three leaders of breaching conditions of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, 2003 and the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated Officers) Act, 2015.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament Buildings, the Ruto men argued that government cannot continue pumping resources to individuals hell-bent on undermining the same government.
To deny Uhuru the benefits, a motion supported by two-thirds must be passed in the National Assembly.
The new assault was led by Central Kenya MPs, including Kagombe, Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Maina Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Ann Wamuratha (Kiambu MP) and John Njuguna (Kiambaa).
They want the state through National Treasury to recover all the money advanced as retirement benefits to the trio, running to almost a billion shillings.
Already Kagombe has written to the National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge, informing him of a motion to compel the termination of retirement benefits to the Azimio leaders.
“The law specifies the circumstances under which benefits may not be paid. They include ceasing to hold office on account of having acted in wilful violation of the Constitution, being found guilty of gross misconduct or holding an office in, or, actively engaging in activities of any political party,” Kagombe said.
“The immediate former President, the retired Prime Minister and the 10th Vice President have continued to engage in activities of Political Parties after retirement, contrary to Sections 4 and 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Acts, 2003 and Section 4 of the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President Designated officers) Act.”
Just last week, the government revoked a tax waiver extended to NCBA bank — an entity associated with the Kenyattas that could see them pay about Sh900 million to the state
When he appeared at the Jubilee Party offices on April 26, Uhuru gave a clear hint he is not about to quit active politics yet.
He went ahead to sign a notice of the party’s delegates' convention in his capacity as the party leader.
“Everybody who wants to leave the party is free to leave and join another party…mimi nawashukuru kwa kulinda chama yenu (I thank you for taking care of the party),” he said in an address to the press.
This was after chaos was witnessed at the offices between two factions both claiming 'ownership'.
The lawmaker now wants the House to resolve that the government through the Treasury will terminate further payment of the benefits and recovers any amounts paid to the trio.
Under the retirement law, the three are entitled to three drivers each, a personal assistant, an accountant, two secretaries, two housekeepers, two senior support staff, two gardeners, two cooks, two cleaners, armed security guards who shall be provided on request, diplomatic passports, office and office equipment, maintenance equipment for the vehicles provided and access to the VIP lounge at all airports in the country.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said Kenyans cannot be made to facilitate retirees to cause havoc in the country.
The lawmaker wants the funding stopped and the leaders to finance their anti-government activities from their own pockets.
“The law is clear that a president is supposed to retire from politics six months after leaving office. He (Uhuru) is still the chairman of Jubilee and supporting Azimio, all these demonstrations are happening with his blessings,” Muriu said.
“Public resources cannot be used to support retirees to cause havoc in this country.”
The Gatanga MP said Uhuru, Raila and Kalonzo combined have so far received Sh841 million as retirement benefits.
Muriu claimed Raila’s package amounts to Sh388.8 million followed by Kalonzo’s Sh375.8 million.
Retired President Kenyatta who left office eight months ago has so far pocketed Sh78.7 million, according to the MP.
“We are seeking recovery of those monies. We cannot support demonstrations which are destroying the lives of the people. They cannot have their cake and eat it at the same time,” he added.
According to Treasury records, the former head of state was allocated Sh678 million as his pension and retirement perks for the year to June.
He has started receiving Sh1.3 million in monthly pension. The state has also retained another Sh655 million for a fully furnished office, limousines and salaries for scores of aides pending his retirement from party politics.
He started receiving the monthly payments on December 1 and also got a lump sum package of Sh39.6 million.
Nyeri Town MP Maina called for starvation of all political parties participating in the ongoing Azimio demonstrations of the Political Parties Fund.
The MP argues that once the apex court determined the issue of elections, then challenging them is akin to disputing the poll figures which are the basis of sharing the Political Parties Fund.
“Political Parties are funded by the taxpayers. Once a court has determined the issue of elections, parties which still challenge the same are like questioning the basis of their allocations. We will demand that all parties participating in the demonstrations should not receive the cash,” Maina said.
Raila’s ODM, the former ruling Jubilee Party, Wiper, DAPK, Usawa and Roots Party are some of the faces of the Azimio mass action.
(Edited by V. Graham)