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Kenya

Raila, Kalonzo to get perks without quitting party posts

The Majority Leader had vowed to push the amendment in the Bill that would require the two CORD leaders to retire from elective politics if they wanted to access their retirement packages/FILE

The Majority Leader had vowed to push the amendment in the Bill that would require the two CORD leaders to retire from elective politics if they wanted to access their retirement packages/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 30 – Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka will receive their pensions without quitting party positions after Majority Leader Aden Duale failed to move an amendment compelling them to do so.

Former Speaker Kenneth Marende is also among those entitled to a hefty pay package.

Duale was absent when Temporary Speaker Moses Cheboi who was presiding over the Committee of the Whole House called him to move his amendment to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill 2013.

The Majority Leader had vowed to push the amendment in the Bill that would require the two CORD leaders to retire from elective politics if they wanted to access their retirement packages.

Speaker Justin Muturi had earlier in the sitting advised the House that enacting the clause can be challenged in court because it was discriminatory and unconstitutional.

MPs Robert Pukose (Endebess), Dalmas Otieno (Rongo), Jimmy Angwenyi (Nyaribari Chache) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) who contributed during the debate said it was wrong for the three leaders who oversaw the transition process during Grand Coalition Government had been made to wait for their pensions.

If the Bill is assented into law, the former Premier, VP and Speaker will be entitled to perks including extra personnel, armed security, diplomatic passports and access to VIP lounges in airports in addition to financial packages.

In addition, they will be entitled to two saloon vehicles with an engine capacity not exceeding 2000cc replaceable every four years, one four-wheel drive vehicle with a maximum engine capacity of 3000 cc, monthly fuel allowance equivalent to 15 percent of the last monthly salary, medical cover providing local and overseas treatment for themselves and their spouses.

Suba MP John Mbadi sponsored the Bill thanked his colleagues in the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the National Assembly for handling the Bill in a bi-partisan and patriotic manner.

His amendment which sought to include President Uhuru Kenyatta and United Democratic Forum (UDF) Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi who served as Deputy Prime Ministers was however struck out following a ruling by the Speaker.

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Marende who served as Speaker in the 10th Parliament was on a salary of Sh800,000 and received Sh700,000 in allowances while the former Prime Minister and Vice-President were on a monthly salary of Sh1.7 million.

Odinga who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 will be the biggest beneficiary under the law. He will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to one and a half years salary paid for each term served.

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