Jubilee faults Uhuru over Raila’s pension

Some Jubilee coalition MPs on Thursday criticised the requirement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that Mr Raila Odinga stay out of elective politics in order to become eligible for a pension.

They joined their Cord counterparts in opposing Mr Kenyatta’s proposed amendments to the pensions Bill. However, they could not get enough votes to shoot down the proposals.

The House needed 232 MPs to overturn the President’s decision but only managed 84.

Mr Ronald Tonui (Bomet Central, URP) said the recommendations would amount to discrimination.

“In this same House, we have people who worked in the civil service and are enjoying their pension. I believe some people are being targeted,” said Mr Tonui.

Mr Johnson Sakaja (nominated, TNA) described the restrictions as unreasonable.

'PEOPLE MISADVISING PRESIDENT'

“The people misadvising the President to make him look petty and vindictive are not doing us a service. The government would lose nothing by paying their dues”.

Mr Kabando wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini, TNA) also criticised the recommendations.

“We must show courage and borrow from global best practice. We are creating a very bad image of our leader,” he said.

Mr Mithika Linturi (Igembe South, TNA) described the amendments as mischievous.

Mr Marcus Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East, Wiper) said he is among the retired civil servants who are receiving their pensions though he is serving as an elected member of Parliament.

ODM lawmakers Millie Odhiambo (Mbita), Nicolas Gumbo (Rarieda) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) were categorical that the recommendations were discriminative.

Mr John Mbadi (Suba, ODM), who drafted the original Bill, told the House that Mr Kenyatta had misused his responsibility as Head of State to veto the Bill.