DP William Ruto: State officers retirement package excessive

Deputy President William Ruto (right) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya General Secretary Rev. Canon Peter Karanja (left) sing a hymn during the NCCK centenary celebrations at Kabarak University in Nakuru August 21, 2013. In a statement, Mr Ruto urged MPs to amend the proposed retirement package for senior state officers to reflect the state of Kenya's economy. SULEIMAN MBATIAH

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ruto says the figures are extravagant and could lead to an increase in the wage bill.
  • Salaries and Remuneration Commission has estimated that the Treasury will fork out more than Sh484million to fully cater for the new retirement packages.
  • Bill is expected to come to the floor of the House for its first reading when the lawmakers return from their break on September 17.

Deputy President William Ruto has urged MPs to amend the proposed retirement package for senior state officers to reflect the state of Kenya's economy.

Mr Ruto said the figures were extravagant and could lead to an increase in the wage bill if they were to be adhered to.

"I respect the constitutional principle of separation of powers, but I urge Parliament to review this Bill with a view of making the package reasonable and not extravagant. Retirement benefits are meant to make individuals live a fair life, but not an extravagant one,” said the DP in a statement Wednesday.

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The proposed law, sponsored by Gwassi MP John Mbadi, seeks to provide packages worth million of shillings for retired state officers including the Deputy President, Speakers Justin Muturi and Ekwee Ethuro, their deputies Joyce Laboso and Kembi Gitura.

Other senior figures set to benefit are Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, his deputy Kalpana Rawal, former House Speaker Kenneth Marende, the Attorney General and the Chief of Defence Forces.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has estimated that the Treasury will fork out more than Sh484million to fully cater for the new retirement packages.

DIGNIFIED LIVES

However, Mr Ruto, although saying he supported moves to ensure former civil servants led dignified lives after retirement revealed that such should be done in view of the nation’s economic growth. 

He added that the Jubilee government was looking at various ways to cut the wage bill and therefore the need to review the proposed figures.

“I have read the Retirements Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill, 2013 and noted its contents. The Government supports any move that ensures public servants continue to live in dignity when they retire. However, it is the position of the Government that the wage Bill is sustainable,” Mr Ruto said.

He further challenged the legislators to ensure the reviewed figures were modest and would not hurt the economy when fully implemented.

"Any package for retirees must be modest and contextualised to the economic reality of the country,” he said.

The Bill is expected to come to the floor of the House for its first reading when the lawmakers return from their break on September 17.

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