In his motion, Cherargei argued that Kenyatta, since leaving office, has contravened regulations under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act and punctured the dignity of the office of the retired president.
The legislator argued that Kenyatta has been actively engaging in partisan political processes contrary to section 6 of the Act, which requires a retired President to only take a neutral, consultative, and advisory role for the benefit of the nation.
He claimed that Kenyatta has been “…issuing public statements perceived as endorsing or opposing political actors and parties, and engaging in consultative and mobilization activities associated with ongoing political contests and parp, positions across various parts of the country.”
The Nandi Senator has opined that his cited arguments, if established, undermine the rationale for the continued enjoyment of publicly funded retirement benefits.
He therefore noted that there is a need to ensure strict compliance with the law governing retired Presidents and to uphold the integrity of public expenditure, transparency, and accountability in the allocation and utilization of state resources.
In his view, Kenyatta’s alleged activities should warrant the withdrawal or reduction of his allowances as well as an audit of all allocated resources be conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General and a report be submitted to Parliament within sixty days.
“This House recommends the revocation, variation, or reallocation of budgetary provisions relating to the benefits of the retired President, in line with the findings of the audit and subject to approval in accordance with the law,” he added.
He argued that funds recovered from benefits previously accorded Mr. Kenyatta shall be redirected to serve the interests and welfare of the Kenyans.
This comes after Kenyatta has told off critics who fault him whenever he calls out the government over its poor governance structures.
On May 1, while addressing a political gathering in Narok via his brother Muhoho Kenyatta’s phone, he said that the heaping censures sometimes restrict him from attending public gatherings.
“I am not in active politics, but I have a right to campaign for my party. I seek no elective seat, but I am a Jubilee member,” he said.
The former Head of State further criticised a section of politicians, accusing them of seeking to dissolve political parties in the country.
“It is worrying to see people who, instead of selling their party’s agenda, keep meddling with other parties. We will not be bothered by people who are out to fill their stomachs. We tell them we know our new crop of leaders; let them go engage in their politics elsewhere,” Kenyatta said.
This has invited ridicule from political leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Meanwhile, the Jubilee Party has come to Kenyatta’s defense, warning those going after his retirement benefits to focus on their elective mandate and stop meddling in current political affairs.
