Former Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro will be entitled to a lumpsum payment on retirement, calculated as a sum equal to one year’s salary paid for the one term he served in office.
This means that Mr Ethuro will earn Sh1,056,000 per month as pension.
Mr Ethuro will also enjoy other lifelong benefits including one saloon vehicle of an engine capacity not exceeding 2000cc which will be replaceable once every four years, one four-wheel drive vehicle of an engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc which will be replaceable once every four years and a fuel allowance equal to 15 per cent of current monthly salary of the office holder.
Taxpayers will fork out Sh17 million as sendoff package for former Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, highlighting the burden of constitutional offices.
Mr Ethuro, the first Speaker of the Senate under the 2010 Constitution, will be entitled to a lumpsum payment on retirement, calculated as a sum equal to one year’s salary paid for the one term he served in office. This means that Mr Ethuro will earn Sh1,056,000 per month as pension.
Mr Ethuro, a long serving member of Parliament for Turkana Central Constituency before being elected as Speaker in 2013, lost his bid to retain the seat to former Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka during the elections held on Thursday.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in 2013 set the salary of the Speaker of the Senate and the National Assembly at Sh1,320,000.
According to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, 2015, Mr Ethuro will walk home with a lump sum pay of Sh15,840,000, equivalent of one year’s salary.
Taxpayers will also foot a monthly fuel allowance of Sh198,000, being 15 per cent of Mr Ethuro’s monthly salary of Sh1.32 million.
“Additional retirement benefits for a retired Speaker of the National Assembly or the Senate include a fuel allowance equal to fifteen per cent of current monthly salary of the office holder,” the law states.
Mr Ethuro will also enjoy other lifelong benefits including one saloon vehicle of an engine capacity not exceeding 2000cc which will be replaceable once every four years, one four-wheel drive vehicle of an engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc which will be replaceable once every four years and a fuel allowance equal to 15 per cent of current monthly salary of the office holder.
Taxpayers will also pay for his and the spouse’s full medical and hospital cover, providing for local and overseas treatment, with a reputable insurance company.
Mr Ethuro will also be entitled to two drivers, one personal assistant, one secretary, one housekeeper, one senior support staff, one gardener and one cleaner.
Two armed security guards who will be provided on his request. He and his spouse will also have diplomatic passports.
Mr Ethuro will also have access to the VIP lounge at all airports in Kenya.
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