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{
    "id": 1507219,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1507219/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 267,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "The KRA at times charges us penalties for us not having paid to KRA the deductions. Nonetheless, the truth of the matter, the exchequer has delayed. Therefore, I would like to request that in the event that there is proof that there is a delay from the exchequer, county assemblies should not be punished. They should not be charged any interest or penalties. I would like to request that you relook at your Penalty Clause and Interest Clause. You can choose to eliminate, so that we can do God's work properly and ensure that people retire honourably. Furthermore, we can also ensure that our county assemblies are not pushed to making deals by swapping their assets, so that they can be able to clear this interest and penalties. As we sit in this Parliament today and deliberate on this county assemblies pension scheme, it is also important for us to consider other distinguished men and women who have served this country. We have got people like the Auditor-General, for instance. There is a day I met with the former Auditor-General Mr. Ouko. Auko said, I have served this country for many years. I have gone into retirement and guess what? I do not even have a pension. I am sure the Attorney General will probably say the same thing or something different. There is a Bill in the last Parliament that I introduced here. However, when I introduced that Bill, I was forced to withdraw the Bill. It was the retirement scheme of the former Vice-Presidents, former Prime Minister and other designated officers. That issue was set aside. If we are being honest, that we want to make sure that for the time God has given us on earth, when we serve as public officers, continue enjoying our remunerations and when we retire, I should not have to sell my cows to pursue for me to be paid pension. I would like to request the Senate Majority Leader, to look into that and consider it. There is one other thing that makes it difficult for pension schemes to be managed effectively. This has to do with the establishment of the Board. I can see this Bill, when I perused through it, says that for them to call a meeting, six Board members must be able to sign, so that the Chairman can be able to call a meeting. The relationship between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chairman must be clearly defined. Who is more powerful? Is it the Chairman of the Pension Scheme or the CEO? That way, it is easier. You are there to do God's work and make sure that Kenyans who served diligently and gave their sweat and blood, when they retire, they continue being honourable. I think that it might even be a recipe for ending corruption in this country. Sadly, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you will find that Kenyans who work diligently, go to work every day, 8.00a.m. to 5.00p.m, for instance teachers and staffers at the Assembly, the day they retire and hold a party to celebrate, that will be the last day they will be able to enjoy any money coming to them, having served for a long time. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I would like to beseech that my good friend focuses on how the retirees will be able to access their funds. As a matter of fact, if today you ask me whether there is a set amount for civil servants who have worked and their money has been deducted from their salaries and forwarded to one of these pension schemes, like the local Authorities Pensions Trust 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 and AudioServices, Senate."
}