Former President Mwai Kibaki's office has come under fire over allegedly defaulting on Ksh36 million in rent arrears accrued between 2013 and 2016.
Business Daily reported on Tuesday, October 8, that Professor Nick Wanjohi, who was Kibaki's private secretary between 2012 and 2017, occupied the 18th-floor office at the KICC for three years without paying rent as was required.
The audit report stated that Wanjohi maintained his occupancy at the KICC offices despite the government acquiring new offices for Kibaki at the Nyari Estate in Nairobi, at a cost of Ksh250 million.
The auditor faulted the KICC for failing to provide a tenancy agreement, which he stated has made it difficult to recover the debt even if they intended to.
"Available information indicates that the KICC 18th floor was occupied by the Private Secretary to the third President for the period of July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2016, accruing a total debt of Ksh 36,092,972 though no lease agreement was availed for audit review," the auditor was quoted.
Kibaki retired from active politics in 2013 after serving two terms.
Before leaving office, however, he approved the Presidential Retirement Benefits (Amendment) Act, 2013, allowing every retired head of state to receive a hefty send-off package among other retirement benefits.
Moi, who retired in 2002 after a 24-year reign, became the first-ever former head of state in Kenya to benefit from the act.
Former Presidents are entitled to two personal assistants, four secretaries, four messengers, four drivers, housekeepers, home cleaners and bodyguards, bringing the total staff count to 34 office workers excluding security guards who should be at least six.
The hefty packages have been criticized by many Kenyans on the grounds that the retired presidents left office as rich men with property worth billions of shillings and vast business interests.
