Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1381354,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1381354/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 148,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. First, I want to congratulate the couple of counties that have made payments to pension schemes as indicated in this Report. It is perplexing that despite several constitutional safeguards set out in Article 40 of our Constitution, hardworking Kenyans who have dedicated their lives to service and contributing to society, find themselves at the mercy of poor management practices by county governments and other parastatals, specifically when it comes to the utilisation and allocation of funds earmarked for remittance to pension schemes, which for decades seem to disappear. The consequence of non-remittance is serious for retirees entering their golden years. They are left unsure about their finances, which is truly abysmal. Most of them end up depending on their families for daily sustenance, including health costs, utilities, transport, food and even airtime. Mr. Speaker, Sir, children are not a retirement plan. Something that we have never discussed in this House is a phenomenon called black tax. This is money that is expected from us to take care of our elderly family members without question or excuse. Black tax does not care how much you earn, where you work or your personal monetary responsibilities. It just forces young people to inherit the burden that counties and other parastatals that default in making these payments as reflected in this Report, should be making. This means that our money is not our money at all. On top of the high cost of living, high inflation, housing levy currently under debate, the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), increased NSSF, we are then forced to add black tax to this long list because of historical failures of counties to do their job. If the Report claim on page 26 holds true, with counties owing about Kshs80 billion, efficient, transparent and proper systems should ensure some kind of relief for our retirees, for them to, at least live a dignified life once they are in retirement stages. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}