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"id": 99385,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Nyambati",
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"speaker": {
"id": 116,
"legal_name": "Walter Enock Osebe Nyambati",
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"content": "The Members of Parliament have a legitimate expectation that their remunerations shall not be altered to their detrimental while half-way through their five-year-term. The Commission has, therefore, taken all those factors into account in making further recommendations on the remunerations of Members of Parliament and various office holders. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, these recommendations seek to enhance the tax payable by all Members of Parliament and, therefore, take care of the concerns of the public with regard to taxation. The facilitative allowances are, however, proposed to remain the same. This honourable House is being asked to adopt the Tribunalâs report together with the Commissionâs recommendations for the salary of various office holders as contained in the report and the recommendations of the Commission, which are in those two booklets. This includes the salaries of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Vice-President, among other officers. The full proposed remuneration package is set out in the documents that I laid on the Floor of the House. The Tribunal has also made other recommendations that the Commission agrees with. First, a grievance handling system be developed for Members of Parliament and documented as part of the Membersâ handbook. Two, we had recommended that Members of Parliament should be provided with adequate medical cover. This also is a recommendation from the Akiwumi Tribunal and we realize that MPs are not fully covered and the report recommends that we give adequate cover to them. The third recommendation is that upon the unfortunate event of the death of a Member of Parliament, the Commission should ensure that the Member is accorded a decent burial. The fourth recommendation is that hon. Members should be accorded maternity leave. This applies mainly to our lady members of Parliament and also paternity leave for our male MPs. The fifth recommendation is that adequate facilities should be provided for MPs to enable them effectively carry out their duties, whether it is offices or other things. Sixth, steps should be taken to ensure the effective and efficient utilization of the Constituencies Development Fund. We should ensure that the CDF money is utilized in the best way possible. Seven, it recommends that adequate training for MPs be undertaken so that they are fully equipped to carry out their duties in the offices and in the constituencies and the oversight function. Eight, it recommends that members of the public be properly sensitized as to the role of the MP because as of now, they are not fully sensitized on the role and duties of the MP. We are trying to do so by creating even the outreach facilities to ensure that they are informed. Ninth, the report recommends that the Parliamentary Mortgage Scheme be enhanced. Ten, it recommends that mechanisms be put in place to provide for the retirement of an MP on the ground of infirmity or incapacity. Once an MP is incapacitated in a way, there should be a better method of ensuring that there is something to retire on. Eleven, it recommends that all MPs develop strategic plans for their constituencies so that their constituents are able to judge at the end of the term, the Memberâs performance. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Tribunal further observed that former MPs are part of the face of Kenyan leadership outside Parliament and that people at the grassroots continue to look up to them for all manner of support, guidance and leadership. They bear the burden of social responsibility and meet many challenges of the basic needs of local people which are imposed on them by the circumstances beyond their control. The tribunal also noted that it is virtually impossible for a former MP to get any gainful employment after being an MP. For this reason and drawing from the precedent from other Commonwealth countries that pay their former MPs a token of tax free pension, the Tribunal recommended that former MPs be paid a minimum basic pension. The Commission has also independently recommended that the Parliamentary Pension Committee look into the issue of the retirement benefits for MPs who retire after serving only one term as they are a particularly vulnerable group members. This is important because a term of an MP is a finality in itself. So we want the Parliamentary Pension Committee to look into the possibility of pension for a Member who has just served for one term. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if this hon. House adopts the recommendations before you, amendments to various laws will need to be effected to give legal backing to the same. Most of the proposals shall occasion additional expenditure on public funds. It is for this reason that the House is requested to urge the hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to publish and bring to the House, the Draft Bills necessary to give legal effect on the Tribunal to report on the Commissionâs recommendations within the next seven days. The Commission has made it easier for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister and Minister for Finance to do so by preparing the Draft Bills which are annexed to the Commissionâs comments and recommendations. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. I request Mr. Midiwo to second the Motion."
}