National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
Deputy Speakers of Parliament have lost bid for juicy retirement benefits like monthly pension, four-wheel-drive cars and medical cover after Speaker Justin Muturi rejected debate on the proposed law. Mr Muturi said the debate on the Bill would have seen Parliament take over the mandate of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) — the State agency that sets pay and perks for all State officers.
This came after the Committee on Finance and National Planning had approved a petition to offer deputy speakers pensions, setting the stage for amendments to the law that provides retirement benefits to the Deputy President, Chief Justice and speakers.
The speakers would have received two saloon cars that are replaced every four years, a fuel allowance calculated as a percentage of the salary they earned in the last month in office, a driver, a secretary, a personal assistant and fully furnished offices.
“It is my view that the amendment may also encroach on the powers of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission under Article 230 (4) (a) of the Constitution, which provides that the powers and functions of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission shall be to set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of all State Officers,” said Mr Muturi.
“I have the option of allowing the provisions to proceed for debate. However, for the good of future holders of this office, I instead choose to order that the entire provision relating to the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, 2015 be withdrawn.”
Former deputy speakers David Musila, Farah Maalim and Kembi Gitura petitioned the MPs to allow earn a pension, arguing that they deserved to get the perks like the DP.
If MPs had approved the amendments, deputy speakers would have joined a growing exclusive club of former top officials whose pay and perks cost taxpayers more than a Sh1 million monthly each.
Source: Business Daily Africa,