Uhuru's Retirement Package Stirs Reactions Among Kenyans

President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to receive millions of shillings and monthly pensions once his second term in office comes to an end in August 2022.

In the just-concluded Ksh3.3 Trillion treasury budget, Uhuru will receive a gratuity of Sh72 million and a monthly pension of Sh667,000 once out of office, an amount that has since elicited mixed reactions among many Kenyans.

On his part, Deputy President William Ruto is also set to benefit from millions of shillings in a send-off package, should he fail to clinch the presidency in August.

Ruto and other designated state officers will receive a total of Ksh430 million in the 2022-2023 financial year and is set to increase to Ksh600 million in the next financial year.

Uhuru's benefits came as an increase from that of former President Mwai Kibaki who got Sh25.2 million after his retirement in 2013. Retired presidents’ monthly pay allocation rose from Sh64 million in the 2016/17 financial year to Sh74 million in 2019/20.

The treasury has also increased retired president's pensions from Ksh34.4 million to Ksh42.42 million starting July 2022.

The Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi are also set to walk away with huge sums of pension money after their terms come to an end in August.

The presidency's generous retirement packages come at a time when Kenyans are facing hard times due to the high cost of living.

Already, irked Kenyans have taken to social media to express their disapproval of the huge retirement packages.

While some found it in line with the constitution's requirement, many faulted the two for allegedly being unconcerned about the rising cost of living and suffering among Kenyans.

Most netizens found the perks so huge and could have instead been diverted to curb the already worsening inflation.

"Life has become so difficult, these conmen were and are after fleecing the country. I don't care a thing, whatever they do, let them return our country to normalcy" lamented one user.

"What a policy in a country where citizens are accustomed to poverty! Atumalize kabisa , as ordinary Kenyans we are suffering lakini #AmalizeAende" added another .

"Everything in our constitution only benefits a few...see even the newly constructed expressway few people were given the free privilege to use it...NHIF few people benefit the rest are others...Talking about NHIF, I think if one has not utilized it the whole year, one should be at least given some dividends if not benefits, this will encourage people not to misuse the facility so that they can get something at the end of the year" stated Mokaya DE MI Amor