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{
    "id": 812735,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812735/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 369,
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    "content": "look at the memorandum, the real motivation was to ensure that arbitrary decisions are not made at the whims of any individual in the Executive, in case they are made to somebody who might be of a different political persuasion at that time.I remember this is the time when the former Vice President, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka and former Vice President, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, had their security withdrawn. My colleague, Sen. Olekina and many Kenyans were not happy at that point. Of course, the security agencies might have had their reasons but we need to remember that these are people who have reached a certain stature in society. From the outset, I must say that I am always very uncomfortable when we discuss our benefits and those of our leaders – not necessarily at the expense of – but without remembering what the ordinary Kenyans are going thorough. I have asked Senators to pick up the Economic Survey of 2018. We are a country that is economically struggling. Many Kenyans do not even know what we mean when we talk about retirement benefits. Many of them are not beneficiaries of the National Security Fund (NSSF). Even in county governments, they are struggling to get their pensions. Many of them in different agencies, which I am dealing with as the Chairperson of the Committee on Labour and Social Welfare – whether it is the Kenya Railways Pension Scheme (KRPS) and many others, have not been able to access their meagre earnings. People have died chasing their pension monies. Madam Temporary Speaker, county governments have not been remitting contributions of their members to the Local Authorities Provident (Lap Fund) and the Local Authorities Pension Trust (Lap Trust) . I know my county of Nairobi City owes close to Kshs20 billion. At some point, I suggested that we should consider amending the County Allocation of Revenue Bill and do it as a conditional grant to these pension agencies, monies owed to them by counties and agree that in five years, we want to clear those debts. So, if Nakuru County owes Kshs5 billion, we will remove a Kshs1 billion every year and put it directly to the pension agencies. If Nairobi City County owes Kshs20 billion, we will remove Kshs2 billion every year. However, because pension is a right of anybody who has offered their service – whether in the private or public sector – it provides for them some safety net once they are beyond the economically active age which is around 60 in this country. That is, if you are not a judge or if you are not in any other high office but in the public service. It is for these reasons that we need to look at these issues holistically. We need to make sure that every Kenyan is able to access social welfare and the pensions that they deserve for the work that they have done and it should not just be about the elected leaders, former presidents and designated state officers. I heard Sen. Cherargei, who I have tremendous respect for, say that the retirement benefit should only be given to someone once they have retired from active politics. This is an argument that has been there even before. I do not think that anything is further from a solid misinterpretation of the Constitution as that assertion. I know that it has been previously said that it has been targeting the former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, and I remember that when his pension was stopped in the last Parliament, I stood up and opposed that clamour. 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."
}