Stage set for fresh debate on Raila, Kalonzo retirement perks
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
The Bill listed for debate in the Order Paper guarantees current Speakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ekwee Ethuro (Senate) hefty retirement packages on completing a term in office.
Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka as well as the current Speakers will be entitled to monthly pensions equal to 80 per cent of their last monthly salary in office.
But the Bill sponsored by Suba MP John Mbadi does not provide any retirement package for Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who will retire in less than three years.
Debate on retirement perks of former prime minister Raila Odinga, vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende is set to kick off in the House.
The Bill listed for debate in the Order Paper guarantees current Speakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ekwee Ethuro (Senate) hefty retirement packages on completing a term in office.
Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka as well as the current Speakers will be entitled to monthly pensions equal to 80 per cent of their last monthly salary in office.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in March 2013 set the Speakers salary at Sh990,000 while the Chief Justice earns a basic salary of Sh782,220 and Sh100,000 house allowance.
But the Bill sponsored by Suba MP John Mbadi does not provide any retirement package for Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who will retire in less than three years.
The new Bill, which was developed after former President Mwai Kibaki rejected the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill 2013, also leaves out then Deputy Prime Ministers Musalia Mudavadi and Uhuru Kenyatta and the Chief of Kenya Defence Forces Jeremiah Karangi.
Mr Kibaki refused to assent to the Bill after MPs sneaked in hefty payoffs for themselves, but went ahead to sign another awarding himself Sh25 million in pension and retirement benefits.
“The Bill requires an audit of expenditure arising from benefits conferred under the Bill once enacted into law,” said Mr Mbadi in the memorandum of objects and reasons.
Should the Mbadi Bill be approved by the National Assembly, Mr Muturi and Mr Ethuro will be entitled to a minimum of Sh792,000 monthly for the rest of their lives after leaving office in 2017.
Mr Marende who served as Speaker in the 10th Parliament was on a salary of Sh800,000 and received Sh700,000 in allowances while the former prime Minister and vice-president were on a monthly salary of Sh1.7 million.
Mr Odinga who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 will be the biggest beneficiary of the Bill. He will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to one and a half years salary paid for each term served.
In addition, he will be entitled to two saloon vehicles with an engine capacity not exceeding 2000cc replaceable every four years, one four-wheel drive vehicle with a maximum engine capacity of 3000 cc, monthly fuel allowance equivalent to 15 per cent of the last monthly salary, medical cover providing local and overseas treatment for himself and wife Ida.
Additional benefits include two drivers, a personal assistant, secretary, house keeper, two armed guards, diplomatic passports, access to VIP lounges at all airports within the country and maintenance expenses for the vehicles.
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