This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Published on July 19, 2019, a new regulation has been introduced by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to oversee the hiring of personal staff for former presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
Under the new regulation, staff such as cooks, personal assistants, and gardeners will no longer be hired directly by the ex-presidents, but instead by the PSC.
The PSC will also be responsible for hiring health fitness instructors, housekeepers, and other support staff for the ex-presidents.
This change also applies to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
According to the regulation, "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.
The budget covers 34 workers that each ex-president is entitled to, including two personal assistants, four secretaries, four messengers, four drivers, house keepers, home cleaners, and bodyguards.
However, this count excludes security guards who should be at least six.
According to the changes, personal staff hired by the PSC will serve at the pleasure of the President, Deputy President, or retired President.
"A person shall cease to serve on the personal staff of a retired President upon the death of the retired President unless otherwise dismissed from service," states the regulations.
