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{
    "id": 699127,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/699127/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 60,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Obviously, as August, 2017 draws near, we are more conscious of the fate of the former Members. This is because the reality of being former is dawning on everybody. I would also like to support this Petition and look at it in terms of the situation of the current MPs. I have looked at their terms of service and there are discrepancies. This is when I compare them with other State officers. For example, the basic salary of the MPs is quite low and what boost us are the allowances that are paid. Those who do not qualify for a second term, the only thing they will get at the end, is gratuity which is not calculated against the allowances. Basically, MPs may appear like they are earning a lot of money through allowances but they do not count towards gratuity. If you look at other State officers, for example, you will find that they are entitled to vehicles while MPs get some lump sum money to buy vehicles. In my view, this is a low deal compared to what other State officers get. State officers get vehicles which are serviced and maintained by the State. I do not understand why, as a State officer, one should be given money to buy a vehicle, maintain it on his or her own, while the other State officers have vehicles that are maintained by the State. Hon. Speaker, even the security officers we have, have different terms from the security officers of other State officers. The amount they are paid is different from what security officers attached to other State officers are paid. Take the case of going to a meeting in Mombasa with a Principal Secretary (PS). Their security officers will be entitled to a per diem while your security officer, as a Member of Parliament, will not be entitled to anything except that lump sum. If you do the calculation, you will find that they are actually underpaid. I know many of us here use our money to pay our security officers. Hon. Speaker, this should provide an opportunity to look at the situation of the current MPs. They have social responsibilities which I do not need to talk about. There are Harambee and funeral contributions to be made, school fees and hospital bills to settle. I think the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs should take this opportunity to look at what appertains to the current Members. Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me that opportunity. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}