Turbulence in the political ship of the Azimio regime seems to be brewing as former President Uhuru Kenyatta is poised to resign as the coalition's chairperson by February 2023.
This is according to legal experts who outlined legal and ethical reasons likely to compel the former president step down from both his role in Azimio as well as the Chairperson of Jubilee Party.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, lawyer Martin Oloo highlighted three parameters that would edge the former president out of the opposition coalition.
Retirement Benefits
Oloo, who is an Advocate of the High Court, disclosed that the president must follow the law if he wished to enjoy Presidential retirement benefits.
“It is a condition which he has been given that he should stay off from active politics and not hold political office,” the lawyer explained.
According to the Presidential Retirements Benefits Act of 2003, a retired president should not hold political office if he wants to draw retirement benefits.
“A retired president will not get pension if he has held office in, or actively engaged in the activities of any political party contrary to the provisions of section 6(1),” the Act reads in part.
Section 6 (1) of the act states, “A retired President shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as President.”
Uhuru handed over the instruments of power to his successor, President William Ruto, on September 13, 2022.
International Diplomacy
Oloo also explained that apart from retirement benefits, the president should retire to continue on his diplomatic role and build a legacy around it.
“The former president should resign so as to be free to concentrate on his peacekeeping efforts and serving Pan-Africanism.
“Uhuru does not need to be bogged down by Azimio party acts, it would be awkward for him to appear on the streets demonstrating together with Raila Odinga while at the same time calling for continental peace,” Oloo added.
No future in local politics
The seasoned lawyer indicated that Uhuru’s contribution to local matters through party politics was over.
“Uhuru does not have the interest to continue being active politically, he therefore needs to retire. There are enough people who can do local politics, let him hand over the baton and engage in other things,” Oloo advised the former president.
Uhuru has taken a political backseat in recent months fueling speculations that he is planning to hand over Jubilee Party and Azimio Coalition leadership positions.
The former president's last political appearance was on September 7, 2022, when he attended Azimio's parliamentary meeting in Kajiado County.
