Kibaki, Raila, Kalonzo Likely To Miss Proposed Benefits

President Kibaki, Raila, Kalonzo likely to miss proposed benefits.

BY ANTHONY MWANGI
WEDNESDAY, 9 JANUARY, 2013

Retirement Bill withdrawal to leave Executive empty handed.

President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Muysoka may after all miss out on the retirement benefits that were to be allocated to them, after the Bill containing the proposal was withdrawn yesterday.

The Presidential Retirement Benefits (amendment) Bill and Deputy Vice President and designated State Officers’ Bills were included in the day’s order paper only to be withdrawn in a supplementary paper issued later in the day by deputy leader of government business, Amos Kimunya. No reasons were given for the move by the Executive.

The two motions were set to be debated at the committee of the whole House stage where members were to make the necessary amendments. The move to award the President, Premier and Vice President had been opposed by some Members of Parliament who argue that the economy cannot sustain the awards.

Kibaki was to receive a hefty gratuity of Sh50 million and other benefits, including an increase in the annual allocation for retired presidents from Sh17.7 million currently to Sh30.2 million. The Commission for Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) has voiced its concerns rejecting the two new Bills.

The chairman, Charles Nyachae, argued that the setting of retirement packages for the State Officers was the mandate of Salaries and Remuneration Commission. The Finance minster introduced further amendments seeking to provide for retirement package of the Chief Justice and his deputy, the Attorney General, the Chief of Defence Forces and the speakers of Senate and National Assembly as well as their deputies.

When the Bills were first tabled before parliament, MPs Ephraim Maina and Yusuf Chanzu led a section of members in opposing the move which was defeated.