MPs approve millions for Moi, Kibaki’s office renovations

Politics and policy

Former President Mwai Kibaki. PHOTO | FILE  

By GERALD ANDAE

In Summary

• The allocation is contained in a supplementary budget seeking additional funds to meet expenditures for the current financial year ending this month.
• The allocation comes even as Kenyans will have spent Sh226.8 million in the current financial year to keep the former presidents happy in retirement.

Taxpayers will have to shoulder the burden of keeping former presidents comfortable after Parliament on Wednesday gave the Treasury the nod to spend millions to renovate their offices.

The allocation is contained in a supplementary budget seeking additional funds to meet expenditures for the current financial year ending this month.

The Treasury had budgeted for Sh250 million to be used to refurbish former President Mwai Kibaki’s office block at Nyari Estate in Nairobi and Daniel arap Moi’s office at Kabarnet Gardens as well as for civil works in the presidency, which constitutes the offices of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

“The amount is required in the year ending June 30 for the Presidency for capital expenditure, including ongoing works and payment of outstanding bills and refurbishment of offices of retired presidents,” notes the Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

The Bill does not give a breakdown of how much will be spent on the repairs of Mr Kibaki’s and Mr Moi’s offices. Mr Kibaki’s office block was bought in late 2013 by the government at Sh250 million. Its purchase followed a public outcry after the Treasury had set aside Sh700 million to acquire new offices for Kenya’s third president.

The allocation comes even as Kenyans will have spent Sh226.8 million in the current financial year to keep the former presidents happy in retirement. This excludes the Sh58.6 million that will be paid in the current fiscal year to Mr Kibaki as allowances.

READ: Kibaki retirement perks rise past Uhuru, Ruto pay

Mr Kibaki stepped down from the presidency in 2013 after serving two terms. Mr Moi retired in 2002 after a 24-year reign, which has entitled him to regular payments, the first ever for a former head of state.

Under the law, both Mr Kibaki and Mr Moi are entitled to an office, staff and a full secretariat to manage their programmes.

Mr Moi opted to use his office on Ngong Road but the state is responsible for its maintenance and security. The former presidents’ offices are fitted with security apparatus such as surveillance equipment and are well furnished.

Apart from the Nyari office block, Mr Kibaki has a State-financed Sh500 million Mweiga home in Nyeri, which was perceived to be his retirement home.

He, however, rarely spends time at the Mweiga home that is built on a 100-acre piece of land.