CATERED FOR: Former VP Kalonzo Musyoka with former PM Raila Odinga in Tharaka, Meru, on March 2, 2011. Photo/file
FORMER Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka will be entitled to monthly pensions equal to 80 per cent of their last monthly salary in office.
This is according to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill, which sailed through its second reading yesterday. It will be returned to the House today for any amendments and approvals.
Raila and Kalonzo will get Sh800,000 each monthly, in addition to two saloon cars of not more than 2,000cc each.
The former leaders will also be entitled to, each, a four-wheel-drive car of not more than 3,000cc, with 15 per cent of their former monthly salaries as fuel allowance.
Some MPs have already told the House that they will propose amendments to reduce the packages, which they term a luxury.
One of the other amendments expected will allow Raila and Kalonzo to continue being active in politics even as the State continues to provide them with retirement benefits.
Moving the Bill, Suba MP John Mbadi protested the move by the Budget and Appropriations Committee to insert a Clause which indicates that, for anyone to benefit, that person should not engage in elective politics.
"I want to repeat here, that we are providing these retirement benefits to these people who served and are no longer serving in those offices. Just the same way, if, today, God forbid, I lose my Suba parliamentary seat, I will still get benefits. I will be paid retirement benefits without quitting politics. I will still come and contest and be enjoying the benefits," Mbadi said.
The Bill will provide for the granting of pension and other retirement benefits to the persons who hold the offices of Deputy President and designated State offices upon their ceasing to hold office.
"I want to emphasise 'upon their ceasing to hold office as such' and not 'upon leaving politics'. To provide for transitional purposes for the benefits to accrue to persons who have served as Prime Minister and Vice-President," Mbado told the House.
Last year, former President Kibaki rejected a Bill that MPs passed allowing also for provision of retirement benefits of Deputy President and other designated State officers.
Currently, there is no provision in law on how to provide for retirement benefits of the offices of the Speakers and other State Officers such as the Chief Justice.
Mbadi said that he will also move an amendment to include former Vice-President Moody Awori, "because he also served this country for a full term".
Another amendment will will see benefits set for Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who retires in three years.
The Bill proposes that the Government gives a lump sum payment on retirement to Speakers at the end of their term. This is a sum equal to one-and-a-half years' salary paid for each term in office
The Speakers will also be given a saloon car of not more than 2,000cc and a four-wheel-drive of not more than 3,000cc.
The Mbadi Bill also provides that if one gets elected in future or is appointed to another State Office, then they should not benefit from the proposed retirement benefits.
The Bill also provides for the provision of medical cover by the Government for staff recruited by the Public Service Commission, but only with the consent of the retired officers.
However, if one benefits through the new law, one cannot benefit again through another Act of Parliament, meaning that Raila and Kalonzo cannot benefit for having been the MPs for Lang'ata and Mwingi respectively.
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