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{
    "id": 1126862,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1126862/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 341,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms) Gladys Wanga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(Homa Bay (CWR), ODM): Yes. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the repeal of the Asian Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions Bill. This repeal is long overdue because the Asian Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund is from the colonial days. In fact, the last time it ever operated was in the 1980s. Its returns were made back to the Crown in the United Kingdom (UK). It has been dormant since the 1980s yet we have an Act speaking to it. I thank the Leader of the Majority Party for moving the Bill to, once and for all, repeal the Asian Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, which is a colonial concept. Currently, we have one pension for Kenyans, not separate pensions for Asians, Muslims, Christians or Hindus. This was a form of discrimination from the old times. Repealing the Bill is timely so that we all operate within the context of our pension funds, namely, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and other pension funds as regulated by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA). One of the things that came up was whether our Special Funds Accounts Committee is able to conduct a terminal audit of this Fund, so that we know whether it has any assets or liabilities and their status as it is wound up. One of the recommendations of the Committee is, if possible, to have an audit. There was an argument as to whether we can still bring back documents from the Crown in the United Kingdom in order to audit them. We do not know whether it is practical, but nonetheless, it was put in as a proposal. This is a straightforward matter. It is not useful to have an operational Act for a fund that has not operated since the 1980s. Once again, the Committee agrees with the Leader of the Majority Party as he proposes to completely repeal this Act, so that we channel all our energies towards the current pension or social security mechanisms in the country. The Committee supports the repeal of this Act and thanks the Leader of the Majority Party. I take this opportunity to thank Members of the Committee for putting in effort to ensure that this Report is turned around within the shortest time possible. I beg to support the Bill."
}