What are the benefits of a retired president in Kenya? Every retired president is entitled to receive retirement benefits in line with the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
A “retired President” means a person who, having held the office of President, has ceased to hold office as such in the manner specified in the Constitution.
The presidential retirement benefits in Kenya include pensions and other benefits.
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Presidential retirement benefits
Subject to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, the persons entitled to the benefits conferred by the Act shall be–
- a retired President; or
- upon the death of a retired President, their surviving spouse; or
- the surviving spouse of a President who dies while holding office as such.
The following are the benefits for a retired president in Kenya–
1. A lump sum payment
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to a lump sum payment on retirement, calculated as a sum equal to one year’s salary for each term served as President.
2. A monthly pension
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to a monthly pension equal to eighty per cent (693,000.00) of the monthly salary currently paid to the President.
3. An entertainment allowance
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to an entertainment allowance equal to fifteen per cent (129,937.50) of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President.
4. A housing allowance
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to a housing allowance equal to twenty-three per cent (199,237.50) of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President to cater for both an urban and a rural dwelling.
5. Suitable office space
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to suitable office space, not exceeding one thousand square metres, with appropriate furniture, furnishings, office machines, equipment and office supplies, to be provided and maintained by the Government.
6. Two new cars
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to two new cars of their (the retired President’s) choice, replaceable every three years, each car having an engine capacity not exceeding three thousand cubic centimetres.
7. Two four-wheel drive motor vehicles
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to two four-wheel drive motor vehicles of their (retired President’s) choice, replaceable every three years, each vehicle having an engine capacity of at least three thousand, four hundred cubic centimetres.
8. A fuel allowance
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to a fuel allowance equal to fifteen per cent (129,937.50) of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President.
9. Electricity, water and telephone allowance
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to an allowance equal to twenty-three per cent (199,237.50) of the monthly salary currently paid to the serving President for electricity, water and telephone facilities.
10. Full medical and hospital cover
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to full medical and hospital cover, providing for local and overseas treatment, with a reputable insurance company for the retired President, the President’s spouse and the President’s children under the age of eighteen years.
11. Additional benefits
A retired President shall, during their lifetime, be entitled to the additional benefits set out in the Schedule of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act–
- (a) Two personal assistants;
- (b) four secretaries;
- (c) four messengers;
- (d) four drivers;
- (e)
- (i) such number of guards for personal and escort unit use as may from time to time be certified by the Minister responsible for national security in consultation with the retired President;
- (ii) adequate security at the retired President’s urban and rural residences as may from time to time be certified by the Minister responsible for national security in consultation with the retired President.
- (f) four cooks;
- (g) four housekeepers;
- (h) four gardeners;
- (i) four laundry persons;
- (j) four house cleaners;
- (k) office maintenance;
- (l) maintenance expenses of vehicles;
- (m) a diplomatic passport for the President and their spouse;
- (n) local travel;
- (o) international travel allowance of up to four trips a year not exceeding two weeks each; and
- (p) access to the V.I.P. lounge at all airports within Kenya.
12. State funeral
Upon their death, a retired President shall receive a State funeral.
For more information about the Presidential retirement benefits in Kenya, see the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act(External Link).