Senator Ole Kina's bill on State officers’ pension up for debate

A draft bill by Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina that seeks to take away the powers of the Executive in altering or modifying emoluments due to the deputy president and other designated officers as provided for in the law and ensuring that former prime minister Raila Odinga gets his benefits has been introduced in the Senate.

Mr Ole Kina wants any alteration or modification of benefits due to a public officer to be done through a petition, which will only be done through the approval of both Houses of Parliament.

These proposals are contained in the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which was introduced in the Senate Wednesday.

RAILA BENEFITS
The senator argues that the Executive has in the past used such modification and alteration as a tool to intimidate the entitled public officers and wants such alteration done by a joint parliamentary committee on entitlements.

Three years ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta declined to assent to a bill which could have handed Mr Odinga and former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka millions of shillings in retirement benefits.

READ: Raila, Kalonzo pension case set for October

Government officials cited the two leaders’ active involvement in politics as the reason for Mr Kenyatta’s refusal to sign the bill.

AMEND
The bill had been passed by the National Assembly, setting out the retirement benefits for the two and former Speaker Kenneth Marende.

But President Kenyatta returned the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill, 2013, to Parliament with amendments.

Mr Kenyatta wanted Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka to retire from active politics in order to get the package.

Mr Ole Kina is proposing that such alteration should only be through a committee of entitlements comprising leaders of majority and minority both in the Senate and National Assembly, and majority and minority whips in both Houses.

“Where there is a need to reduce or alter the security arrangements of an entitled person, the Inspector-General of Police shall refer the matter to the joint committee,” the amendment reads.

PUBLIC HEARINGS
The committee will comprise five other members, two of whom will be senators, appointed by members of Parliament.

Three of the five members shall be appointed by the party or coalition of parties forming national government while the remaining two will be picked from the minority side.

According to the bill, a petition seeking alteration of benefits due to public officers shall be filed to the committee through the offices of the Speakers and the committee will have 30 days to consider the petition.

The committee will then conduct public hearings and table its report to both Houses for adoption.

The bill also hands a lifeline to former vice-presidents.