Stop blaming Uhuru for your failures, Jubilee tells UDA over threat to scrap benefits
Stop blaming Uhuru for your failures, Jubilee tells UDA over threat to scrap benefits
Jubilee party came out guns blazing to defend former President Uhuru Kenyatta from attacks from leaders allied to the governing UDA party.
The party said it is alarmed by statements from some politicians threatening to have Kenyatta’s retirement benefits withdrawn for criticism of his successor, Ruto.
“We are particularly concerned, and indeed alarmed by reckless statements from certain political actors threatening punitive action against the former President, including the suggestion that his retirement benefits could be withdrawn,” read a statement from the party.
In a letter signed by former Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta, who is the party spokesman and secretary general, the party took issue with Ruto for the attacks on his predecessor as a way of securing a second term.
“Retirement benefits for former Presidents are not political favours to be granted or withdrawn at will. They are legal entitlements grounded in law, designed to preserve the dignity of the office and to ensure continuity and stability within our system of governance,” said Ole Kenta.
The noise started after Kenyatta, who is also the Jubilee party leader, attacked the government over failures to govern and lack of development, and this was met with scathing attacks from UDA leaders.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and MP Joseph Cherorot recently warned of a plan to revoke Uhuru Kenyatta’s benefits because of his comments criticising the government.
They asked Kenyatta to be like his predecessors, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, who retired and did not criticise their successors.
Cheruiyot blasted the former head of state, telling him to “behave” like his predecessors.
“The late President Moi, when he retired in 2002, he went to his farm in Kabarak and never bothered to do the silly monkey games you are doing today. When Kibaki went on retirement, he respected the office that the people of Kenya had given him; he peacefully rested in his home,” said an angry Cheruiyot.
“What is so special about you that after 10 years of presidency, instead of relaxing and respecting yourself, you are here addressing people all over the country as if there is anything special you did when you were president of Kenya…”
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, also jumped on the attack train, criticising Mr Kenyatta and calling on him to accord President William Ruto the respect befitting the office.
Ruku noted that President Ruto remained loyal and respectful throughout his time as Deputy President, and questioned why the same courtesy was not being extended now.
“When Uhuru was president, Ruto respected him fully as Head of State. His current posture does not reflect the same respect for the presidency. Why can’t he reciprocate?” posed Ruku.
But Jubilee sees it another way. The party believes this is not an isolated reaction but part of a sustained pattern.
“From the very first day this administration assumed office, it has sought to construct a political narrative anchored not in its own vision or delivery, but in the constant invocation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta as a point of blame, distraction, and deflection. Every challenge becomes his legacy,” reads a statement.
“Every failure is conveniently projected backwards. Every unmet promise is explained away by invoking his name. This approach is not only intellectually lazy; it is politically dishonest.”
The party defends Mr Kenyatta, saying his remarks were not incendiary nor divisive but were grounded in the lived realities of millions of Kenyans.
“The fixation on Uhuru Kenyatta must be understood. It is not about him. It is about the failure to confront present realities. Such statements are not only constitutionally untenable; they represent a dangerous erosion of the respect and dignity accorded to the Office of the President, both past and present,” reads the statement signed by the Jubilee Secretary General.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has filed a motion to withdraw the benefits and allowances of Kenyatta.
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.”
He 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.
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.