This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, the Public Service Commission (PSC) introduced changes to public service appointments, stripping former presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki of their power to hire personal staff.
Under the new regulations, staff such as cooks, personal assistants, and gardeners will be appointed by the PSC, rather than the ex-presidents themselves.
According to the regulations, the PSC will also provide the ex-presidents with health fitness instructors, housekeepers, and other support staff.
Former presidents Kibaki and Moi currently have a free hand to hire personal staff, but this will no longer be the case.
As stated in the regulations, "Subject to the provisions of Article 214 (4) of the Constitution, the Presidential Retirements Benefits Act, 2003 and the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, the PSC shall appoint the personal staff of the President, Deputy President and retired Presidents."
Official data indicates that the cost of staff attached to Mr Kibaki and Mr Moi has crossed the Sh100 million mark in the 2019/20 spending plan.
The Treasury has allocated the retired presidents' workers Sh117.3 million for salaries and allowances in the year that started on July 1, reflecting a 24.8 percent growth on the Sh95 million spent in the previous year.
