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{
"id": 938274,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/938274/?format=api",
"text_counter": 172,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Kitui Central, WDM-K",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Makali Mulu",
"speaker": {
"id": 1955,
"legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
"slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
},
"content": "country before us did a very good job. But when you look at their living conditions, you ask yourselves questions as to whether you really want to be in this House or not. I think this is the driving force behind this Bill. It is proposing that since those MPs cannot earn a living pension of Kshs100,000 because of lack of a legal framework, as Hon. Members, we are being requested to pass this Bill so that it can become an Act of Parliament. By doing so, it will pave way for payment of that living pension of Kshs.100,000. So, it is important for us to support this. Some former MPs have made presentations in the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Every time you listen to them, you appreciate the need of having this law in place. We have been informed that when this Bill was first thought out, we had about 504 MPs. But now they have reduced to about 200. A quick calculation shows that we require about Kshs20 million per month to meet the living pension of Kshs100,000 and per year, that is about Kshs240 million. This will ensure the former MPs who served this country faithfully are able to live well. I think there is no Member in this House who will go against this Bill. I am just imagining because as MPs, we realise that all our salaries, allowances and other resources are no longer private resources, but public resources. So, we use our salaries to meet the needs of our electorate and, as a result, the period you are in Parliament, whether you serve two or three terms, you are unable to make serious savings. This is because you spend your money to meet the needs of the community. As a result, you are likely to get out of this House without any investments which can enable you to get a monthly income. On the basis of this argument, it is important for that living pension to be paid. Also, it is said that MPs should not work after leaving Parliament. We have condemned ourselves to a situation whereby after leaving Parliament, it is like you cannot get employment. I want to urge Hon. Members that, as we look at this Bill which cuts as from former MPs, we need to review all the other pieces of legislation stating that a former MP cannot go back to employment. This is because, as time goes by, we are getting very qualified and experienced people with the right papers coming to Parliament. It will be very unfortunate that after Parliament, one cannot use that knowledge to work for Kenyans. So, I want to urge Members to think about reviewing some of the existing legislation to ensure that former MPs can go back to work after completing their term. This will enable them to improve their livelihood. Hon. Speaker, I want to congratulate you for allowing this to happen. Former MPs have formed an association which is catering for some of their social needs. I think we need to encourage those associations so that, after leaving Parliament, one can join a group to share experience and, at times, even share about social life with colleagues who appreciate you. Hon. Speaker, it is very difficult when you go down to the rural setting and your former MP… I am sure none of us as former MPs will borrow money from people who have never been MPs. You will be ridiculed and people will talk ill of you. You will realise that when you go out there, you become very lonely. That is why to me this living pension is important because MPs will meet their basic needs without borrowing money from individuals or going to shylocks who will make it worse for them."
}