Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 568327,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/568327/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 388,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Therefore, it is important that what we are doing should not be seen like a waste of time. It should be seen like an enforcement of what we normally do with Bills. This is to encourage the workers in the county governments to continue working hard. There are times when people lose hope because they know that there is no future in the work that they do. This is an assurance that after some length of time and of work put into place, there is some benefit towards the end; that is, the retirement benefits, which is covered by an authority that should be retained and protected so that the workers in the county governments may also benefit from the same. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in the developed countries, there are members of the welfare society, with free medical facilities, social facilities and even education. When you compare what happens in developed countries and what is happening here in Kenya, you find that the difference is great because we do not devote money to the future development of the mind. The moment the mind is protected, the workers in the early years of their work will be motivated and they will work very hard because they know that they are assured of something towards the end of the term of their lives. The term of their lives can be spelt out at 55 years or 65 years. In other places, retirement age could be 80 years. After that, the citizens continue to enjoy benefits. That is what we are trying to spell out in Kenya, particularly, to encourage the workers in the county governments. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am sure that workers in the counties are going to feel encouraged and protected by this House. This is because there is no other House that can protect them apart from the Senate. We are offering them a golden hand and it should be seen as the right direction. We have had problems in the past with some pensioners. For example, I know that in 1997, the teachers were promised pension of more than Kshs30 billion which was not paid. It is unfortunate that the teachers are still languishing. Some of them are dead while others are so old that they cannot even get to Nairobi to claim their benefits and it appears like there is nobody who is bothered about them. This is a scenario which should be avoided by the county governments. Let there be a clearly organized scheme where retired workers will be dedicated and respected upon retirement, so that they retire honourably and feel like they have worked for the county and country that they were loved when they were young. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is like a shock absorber. When somebody is so old and cannot benefit much or continues to reap benefits--- I think that there is nothing as important as that and that is what we are discussing here. I think this Bill came at the right time so that we can discuss and pass it. Once it is passed, I think that the most proud people will be the county employees. That is what we are trying to articulate and the passage should be lauded by many. Let us not be the laughing stock who talk and nothing happens. We even ask people to be patient, like the way we dealt with teachers yet they still do not receive anything. Let pension be also influenced by the inflation rates. When inflation rate is high, let the pension also go up. This is because what normally happens is that the moment it is passed to a beneficiary, pension rates continue being the same figure. It is not influenced The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}