Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said that public funds paid to retired state officers must be regularly scrutinised to ensure they are used appropriately.
Speaking on KTN, Barasa emphasised that, like all public entities receiving exchequer funding, Kalonzo’s allocation must be subject to periodic audits to assess its propriety.
“Kalonzo Musyoka is paid some money as a retired vice president. We will begin to interrogate what he is using this money for, so that he also contributes to the benefit of the country,” Barasa said on May 6.
“We will begin asking for a breakdown of how this money is
being spent.”
Kalonzo, the Wiper Party leader, is entitled to a range of benefits provided by the State as a former vice president.
By law, the government offers retired presidents, prime ministers, and vice presidents monthly allocations to run their offices, pay staff, maintain official vehicles, fuel, cover travel expenses, and provide for entertainment.
These benefits are in addition to monthly pensions pegged at 80 per cent of their former salaries while in office.
However, Kalonzo is among retired state officers whose perks
have been proposed for significant reductions by the National Treasury.
In the 2025/26 budget estimates tabled in Parliament, Kalonzo, who served as Kenya’s vice president from 2008 to 2013, is expected to see his allocation reduced by Sh28.4 million, from Sh81.36 million to Sh52.9 million.
The largest reduction will be in insurance, which is set to drop by Sh20 million, while domestic travel funding will decrease from Sh3.25 million to Sh2.06 million.
When asked about the proposed cuts, Barasa noted that the National Treasury had merely made a proposal, which would be subject to parliamentary review.
“We will interrogate the rationale, and if we are not satisfied with the explanation from the National Treasury, we shall restore the funds,” Barasa said during the KTN interview on Tuesday night.
