The Public Service Commission (PSC) will now be responsible for employing former presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki’s personal staff, as stated in the Public Service Commission regulations 2019.
The ex-presidents of Kenya have been in the past hiring their preferred personal staff, health fitness instructors, housekeepers and other support staff.
The PSC will also take over the responsibility of hiring President Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto’s staff.
“Subject to the provisions of Article 214 ($) of the Constitution, the Presidential Retirement 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.”
For the financial year 2019/2020 that began in July, the treasury allocated 117.3 million shillings to serve as salary and allowances for the retired presidents’ personal staff, which is an increase by 24.8 percent from the 95 million shillings that was spent in the just concluded financial year.
According to the regulations, each retired president is entitled to a total of 34 personal staff including bodyguards, four drivers, four, messengers, two personal assistants, housekeepers, home cleaners and four secretaries.
Apart from the mentioned 34 personal staff, the two retired presidents are also entitled to at least six security guards.
Despite the staff being hired by the PSC, they will be required to work at the pleasure of the retired Presidents, as stated in the regulations.
An employee will only cease to work for a retired president in the event that the ex-president relieves them of duty or upon the death of the ex-president.
For sitting President and Deputy President’s personal staff, after being hired by the PSC, they will serve in their capacities only when the president’s term is on.
The regulations do not allow personal staff to continue serving longer than the president and his Deputy’s terms in office.
READ ALSO: PSC Approves Lawmakers’ Extortionist Share in Office Expenditure