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{
    "id": 812981,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812981/?format=api",
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    "content": "President and other designated state officers. It is our solemn duty to safeguard and promote the rule of law. I have no doubt that we shall consider the Bill and make further proposals to enrich the legislation. Madam Temporary Speaker, this Bill is very controversial because of the way it has been sensationalised by the media. This is an amendment to an already existing Act of Parliament which was passed in 2015 that set what a retired state officer should receive. It is only sealing loopholes which are there. We all differ. Democracy is a very good thing because it encourages us to share our opinion and agree to disagree. However, when we agree to disagree, it should not affect the benefits of the people who have served this nation and given it all. Madam Temporary Speaker, I know even as we speak, the governors and judges are also seeking to be included in this Bill. I know there are so many problems but these are things that we can interrogate and respect the benefits for the people who have served this nation. Madam Temporary Speaker, during the “resist” period, the security attached to the former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila, were withdrawn. When we sought to know the reason, we realised that the law that gave him those benefits had loopholes. This Bill is not trying to increase the wage bill as purported by several people who are talking about it out there but is trying to put order. If I have a benefit, then it should be given to me. If at any given time, anyone in this country believes that the benefits that have been accorded to me are more than should be accorded, then they have a right to petition a joint committee which is what this Bill is introducing. It is also very dangerous to say the way the current Bill reads that the retired deputy president and other state officers may request security. It does not give a limit neither does it give a maximum. It also does not give responsibility on who has a right to withdraw this security or alter the benefit. This Bill will bring sanity into this business where if I disagree with you and you are in Government, then I will never enjoy any of my benefits. If we do not debate this Bill and allow Members to comment on it, it will get to a point where it will be difficult for anyone in this country to get it. If we can alter at will the benefits of former Vice Presidents who served this country, then I do not know where we are heading. Being a Vice President or former Prime Minister is not something easy. You give all that it takes to serve in that office. You wake up at the wee hours of the night and traverse the whole country. We are currently entertained by a lot of back and forth movement on this issue. However, it is a misconception. This Bill is not seeking to increase the benefits, but is only seeking to seal the loopholes which are there. Madam Temporary Speaker, it will be good and I welcome amendments to this Bill to even consider, including other State officers. For example, former Speakers of this House and the National Assembly, Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and other judges. Those are people who have served this country. They do not serve this country, so that when we retire them we now kick them. We are supposed to reward them for what they have done. When you read the Bill as it is right now, there is no framework on decision in terms of how the benefits will be managed. However, these amendments will ensure that 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."
}