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{
    "id": 508601,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/508601/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 306,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Keynan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 41,
        "legal_name": "Adan Wehliye Keynan",
        "slug": "adan-keynan"
    },
    "content": "There are critical issues in this Bill which I want to bring to the attention of hon. Members. This Bill will be appreciating the sacrifices made by our military veterans in their service to their country in the protection of national boundaries and the security integrity of the Republic of Kenya. This Bill will also attempt to provide some mechanisms for compensation. What happens? Even us, as hon. Members, have been labouring with what to do with former Members of Parliament. This is why, in our own wisdom, we have the National Assembly Pensions Act. I am sure it will be addressed later on so that it becomes a Parliamentary Pensions Act because right now we have a Parliament that is bicameral. We have the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). What this Bill considers to do is to give special consideration for the benefits and relief for those who have served. Some might have been maimed in the process of serving the taxpayers. Some might have been killed. Some might even have been raped. Some might have been traumatized in the service to this great nation. Do we know how their children are living? Do we know how those who have survived continue to live? Do we appreciate it? In countries like Israel or the UK, these citizens are regarded as specialized citizens because of the role they play. Therefore, providing a data bank; providing a network; providing a legally driven mechanism that will enable them congregate and discuss their welfare issues is something that everybody in our time should appreciate. The other thing that the Bill intends to do is to look at the disparities; the inequalities or the unfair discrimination with regard to benefits. I know that the late Gen. Mulinge was a serving former Chief of General Staff (CGS). We also have Gen. Mahamud who is still active. If you compare the benefits Gen. Mulinge and Gen. Mahamud are getting vis-a-vis the benefits today of those who took over from them, you cannot compare. I am told the late Gen. Mulinge used to get about Kshs17,000 as pension. I do not want to mention the figure but what the last CGS under the old Constitution is getting, if you compare, it may be over 20, 30 or 50 times higher. We need to address these disparities because both carried the title of retired CGS."
}