By KPC Reporter
A political storm is brewing after a controversial motion was tabled in the Senate seeking to strip former President Uhuru Kenyatta of his retirement benefits over alleged involvement in active politics.
The motion, sponsored by Nandi Senator Kiprotich Cherarkey, invokes provisions of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, arguing that Kenyatta has violated the requirement that retired presidents remain non-partisan and serve only in an advisory, unifying role.
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The law allows Parliament, by a two-thirds majority, to withdraw or reduce benefits if a former Head of State engages in conduct deemed inconsistent with its provisions.
In a strongly worded justification, the motion argues that taxpayer-funded benefits are not automatic entitlements but are tied to conduct that preserves national unity and institutional respect.
“Retirement benefits… are intended to uphold national unity, institutional respect, and non-partisanship,” the motion states, warning that any deviation “raises serious concerns on accountability and prudent use of public funds.”
At the center of the accusations is Kenyatta’s alleged continued presence in active politics long after leaving office.
The motion claims he has been attending and addressing political rallies, issuing public statements perceived as endorsing or opposing political actors, and engaging in mobilization activities linked to ongoing political contests across the country.
Lawmakers backing the proposal argue that such actions, if proven, amount to direct participation in partisan politics and undermine both the spirit and letter of the law governing retired presidents.
“Such actions… amount to active engagement in political party activities,” the motion reads, adding that this would invalidate the basis upon which state-funded retirement benefits are granted.
The proposal calls for the withdrawal or reduction of Kenyatta’s benefits and seeks to trigger a comprehensive audit by the Office of the Auditor-General into all public resources allocated to him since he left office.
The findings of that audit would guide Parliament on whether to revoke, vary, or reallocate budgetary provisions tied to the former president, with any recovered funds redirected to public use.
The motion lands at a politically sensitive moment and has already drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum.
