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{
    "id": 568329,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/568329/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 390,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "by inflation rates. Even if the inflation rate is 20 percent, the pension amount will just remain the same figure. I encourage the pension authority which will be set to look into the financial trend and the exchange rate of the Kenyan shilling. For instance, if at the time of contribution, the shilling was exchanging at the rate of Kshs20 to $1 and now the rate is Kshs100 to $1, the pension should be able to match the current exchange rate. That is what the pension scheme should come up with and it will certainly benefit not only the pensioner but the dependants as well. It is, therefore, important to note the moment somebody has aged, he will not have the energy to do much of the work hence, the old man or woman will just give stories of what he or she used to do while young, do light jobs and live longer. This is how we will have more people living longer than the expected rates. I am sure that the death rate will be lower as the life expectancy level rises. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the life expectancy rate can be influenced by many factors, one of them being pension. The expectation of pension is what can influence people to work, be credible and have hope in what they are doing at home and what is also expected in future. We therefore need to emphasize that the workers in the county governments get pension because it is their right and a welfare service that is given elsewhere. So, I do not see the reason why it should not be given in Kenya. We should support these people in recognition of the hard work that they would have done in serving the counties. Therefore, I am happy to support this Bill. Once it is passed, let it not end up like that of teachers. I also wish to caution those people who cheat about the pension schemes. We should come up with a law that the moment one qualifies for pension, it must be given to the individual without saying that the Government has no money. Pension should not be pegged on the economy of the country. It should be pegged on the pension scheme itself and the amount of money an individual is supposed to get. We should leave out anything else that may influence the retention of money by the Government. We have also seen other bodies and parastatals like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) coming up with various structural developments of buildings, assets or investments. The pension scheme bodies should invest or come up with development projects only after they have paid the former workers. Therefore, such kind of investments should be discouraged and when that happens, we need to advise the Government to discourage the benefit authorities from making such developments and investments before they have paid the pensioners. After all, they deserve it. I support the Bill and hope that once passed, even the counties will be happy with the Senate, the “Upper House”. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
}