Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has introduced a motion in the Senate concerning the state-funded benefits of Kenya’s fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta, citing the former head of state’s alleged involvement in national politics.
According to the motion, Cherargei contends that the former President has been disregarding the regulations governing retired presidents, claiming that his political partisanship breaches the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
Cherargei emphasized that the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act establishes pension and retirement benefits for former Presidents upon leaving office, with the purpose of preserving the dignity of the presidency and ensuring that retired leaders maintain a non-partisan stance while remaining available for national advisory functions.
He noted that section 6 of the Act limits a retired President’s active participation in political party activities beyond the specified timeframe, envisioning a neutral, consultative, and advisory role for the nation’s benefit.
Filed on May 4, 2026, the motion requests the Senate to rescind or diminish the retirement benefits and allowances currently provided to Kenya’s fourth President under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
Central to the senator’s position is whether taxpayers should continue to support a retired president who, as per the motion, has been involved in partisan political activities beyond legal limits.
The motion documents that since leaving office, the former President has been publicly reported to have actively participated in partisan political processes, including attending and addressing political rallies and meetings.
The motion also implicates the former President for making public statements and engaging in consultation and mobilization activities related to ongoing political contests and party positions across different regions of the country.
Cherargei also references Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibility regarding public finances, asserting that the legislative body must take decisive action when there is substantial concern that state-funded benefits are being utilized in contravention of the law.
In addition to withdrawing the benefits, Cherargei’s motion further requests the Office of the Auditor-General, in cooperation with pertinent state agencies, to conduct a thorough examination of all public resources allocated to Uhuru under the Act.
The motion specifies that if approved, the audit must be completed and a comprehensive report submitted to the Senate within 60 days.
Cherargei stated, “The Office of the Auditor-General, in collaboration with relevant state agencies, shall undertake a comprehensive audit of all public resources allocated to the retired President under the Act and submit a report to this House within sixty (60) days.”
If any funds are recovered as a result of the audit, Cherargei’s motion suggests they be redirected toward the welfare of ordinary Kenyan citizens, rather than being returned to general government accounts without a clear, people-centered purpose.
For the motion to be successful, it requires the support of at least two-thirds of all Members of Parliament, a threshold established by Section 4 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.