Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has secured the use of his residence on Nairobi’s Dennis Pritt Road, famously known as Caledonia, as his official office. This decision follows a phone call with President William Ruto on Tuesday, June 11, where the matter was discussed.
The Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, confirmed the arrangement, highlighting that President Ruto briefed his Cabinet on Uhuru’s request. Kuria, who attended the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, stated, “The home of the retired president is now going to be a gazetted government office, and that is not ordinary. In our understanding, we had done everything according to the Act, but the President, in his wisdom, said he didn’t want this issue to go out of hand.”
This move comes amid a backdrop of tensions between the government and Uhuru Kenyatta over the benefits outlined in the Constitution for a retired president. One of the key issues raised by Kenyatta was the number of security personnel assigned to him. Currently guarded by 40 officers, Uhuru deemed this number insufficient. During their conversation, Ruto and Uhuru agreed to potentially increase the security detail to a number that better suits the former president’s needs, whether that be 50, 60, or even 80 officers.
Kuria further revealed that Uhuru also sought additional security for his residences in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Nakuru counties. Beyond security concerns, the former president requested the renewal of contracts for essential staff members, including Kanze Dena, his former spokesperson now serving as secretary of communication, and George Kariuki, the secretary of administration.
The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged the unique nature of these requests, noting, “Some of the issues are not normal policy issues. For example, is it normal for me to gazette my home as a government office? We know that is not the right thing to do but the President had to do it.”
In response to these requests, a special committee has been established to address the former president’s grievances. This committee will be responsible for ensuring that the needs and concerns of Uhuru Kenyatta are appropriately managed, reflecting the government’s commitment to upholding the privileges and security of its retired leaders.
This decision underscores the ongoing negotiation and collaboration between the current administration and former leaders, ensuring their security and support in their retirement. As these measures are put into place, the government continues to navigate the complexities of providing for its retired presidents while adhering to established policies and constitutional provisions.
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