Push for one-term MPs to get pension
What you need to know:
- The proposals are said to have been motivated by a feeling that former MPs lead poor lives even after serving the country. “We don’t see what is so special about two terms,” an MP who attended the meeting said.
- During the meeting, some MPs also complained of disparities in allowances among members of different committees. They lamented that members of more active committees were earning a lot more than the rest.
Members of the National Assembly want to amend the pensions law to allow MPs who only serve for one term to qualify for retirement benefits.
The legislators met in Parliament on Tuesday and proposed changes to the Parliamentary Pensions Act, the Nation has learnt.
The Act states that an MP can only receive the monthly pension if they have served an aggregate of two terms. The terms need not to be consecutive.
Those who have served for one term are only allowed to access Parliament premises.
The proposals are said to have been motivated by a feeling that former MPs lead poor lives even after serving the country. “We don’t see what is so special about two terms,” an MP who attended the meeting said.
Already, Eldas MP Adan Keynan has published a proposed law that will see all former MPs enjoy some benefits. The proposal will see a Parliamentary Society of Kenya established to provide former legislators with professional counselling and advice on retirement.
During the meeting, some MPs also complained of disparities in allowances among members of different committees. They lamented that members of more active committees were earning a lot more than the rest.
THREE TIMES
Members of the Public Investment and Public Accounts committees take home Sh20,000 in sitting allowances as they meet up to three times every day. Committee chairmen earn Sh10,000 per sitting while their deputies get Sh8,000,
Speaker Justin Muturi is said to have committed to have the Welfare Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Service Commission look into the issues.
