Former President Uhuru Kenyatta Accuses State House of Withholding Office Budget
Nairobi, June 10, 2024 — Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has accused the State House of withholding the budget allocated for running his office. Despite an allocation of Sh503 million in the current financial year, Kenyatta claims that his office has not received any funds, leading to significant operational difficulties.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Kenyatta expressed his frustration over the lack of financial support. “Despite the budgetary allocation of Sh503 million to my office, I have not received a single cent,” Kenyatta stated, emphasizing the critical need for these funds to support his post-presidential activities.
In response, State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena issued a press statement clarifying the situation. “The former president has received the full amount of Sh48 million as a send-off package and receives a monthly pension of Sh1.6 million and a monthly allowance of Sh1 million,” Dena said. However, she acknowledged that Kenyatta has yet to receive new vehicles and a furnished office as stipulated by law.
According to Dena, Kenyatta was allocated two Toyota Land Cruisers, one Mercedes Benz, and one Range Rover for personal use, but these vehicles were not new. Furthermore, the fuel cards provided by the government were blocked by the State House since March 2023, significantly impacting Kenyatta’s ability to use these vehicles effectively.
Dena also noted that the government has refused to renew the contracts of Kenyatta’s Secretary of Communication, Kanze Dena, and Secretary of Administration, George Kariuki. This refusal has forced Kenyatta to fund his operations out of pocket. “The former president is forced to fund his operations from his own pocket, and this office runs by his goodwill,” she stated.
Adding to the challenges, the Government of Kenya has withdrawn the drivers and bodyguards of Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta. This withdrawal has further strained the resources and security of Kenyatta’s office.
Kenyatta’s office has distanced itself from the budget that was tabled, claiming they were not consulted and are unaware of where the budget was prepared. “There is an issue of withdrawal of staff via phone calls and intimidation from the State House,” a spokesperson from Kenyatta’s office said, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the former president and the current administration.
