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{
    "id": 1121838,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1121838/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 254,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Bonchari, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Pavel Oimeke",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity. First of all, I support the Bill. I also congratulate Hon. Didmus Barasa for coming up with it. We need to be serious in taking care of our elderly. It is very unfortunate that many of our parents and people suffer because of the untimely processing of pensions. I am aware that the Government, especially the National Treasury, is on the spot for not planning well. I am aware that the Government of Kenya changed the retirement age from 55 to 60 years. One of the reasons was to make sure the Government does not honour the liability of making pension payments that were falling due as many people were retiring.I challenge this House that this Bill by Hon. Didmus Barasa needs to be strengthened to give guarantees that the Government will do proper planning to pay pensions when they are due. Many Kenyans who have retired including civil servants are beneficiaries of pension. Many Kenyans have died as a result of delay in getting their pensions. I do not understand why we should have a pension that is never properly catered for in law. These pensions are not kept. When we come to the Third Reading, I will propose that a proper innovative law is put in place that we have a proper fund that will guarantee payment. Otherwise, the current scenario especially touching on the National Treasury will not help this country. Many people have died and I want to question: Does the Government have a hand in killing its own people? I do not think that is the objective of the Government. Why should they wait for ten or 20 years to pay the pensioners? Some councilors who retired before the members of county assemblies came in have not been paid. I know teachers who retired 20 to 30 years ago and some of them have not been paid. Therefore, it is very absurd that we have a Government that does not care about its elderly. We are walking on a very dangerous path. Even some of us in this House are going to be affected. Those who are working are going to be affected. Therefore, the limit of three months is too long. I know of private pension funds where normally, they will set aside funds, and when one retires, when they want to withdraw from a pension scheme, for one reason or another, the law is very clear on how one can be paid. You do not wait for three months. Why is it that the Government The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}