New Bill lines up Sh100,000 monthly pay and more benefits for former Kenyan MPs

Russia's Senate Speaker Valentina Matviyenko (centre) is escorted by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi (left) as she leaves Parliament Buildings in Nairobi Thursday after their discussions. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Kenya's parliamentarians have made curious additions to their retirement package. Not only will they continue living off taxpayers money (Sh100,000) for the rest of their lives in monthly stipends, they want psychiatric services or a counsellor too. And this is to be paid for by the taxpayer.

According to the lawmakers, the emotional turmoil of losing an election makes life "psychologically difficult" for them, hence the need for a soft emotional landing to bring them from their elitist life to that of a commoner.

They described the Parliamentary Society of Kenya Bill as a "rescue" plan to save former MPs from a life of extreme poverty.

But they make no mention of the generous taxpayer-funded perks like monthly salary of close to Sh1 million, Sh20 million mortgage and a free car worth Sh3.3 million they get during their term in office.

The legislators say the bill will be an appreciation for their selfless services to the country.

"As a result there are stories of ex-members including their partners suffering nervous breakdown, divorce, heart attacks, alcoholism, school debts and even bankruptcy. This bill therefore seeks to come to the rescue of former members, some of whom have offered selfless service to the country," reads the memo on the Parliamentary Society of Kenya Bill which went through the Third Reading early Wednesday.

There are about 371 former MPs and the number is likely to go up given the high turnover rate with every election. A significant number of the 349 sitting MPs could find themselves among beneficiaries.

"This is a very good and very attractive bill because it offers opportunities for re-employment or retraining of MPs. Once you are out of this Parliament, it is very difficult to get employment. People don't like employing politicians. This is a very useful bill because it will ensure MPs continue to remain useful citizens even after they leave Parliament," said Makali Mulu (Kitui Central).

Mwamkale Kamoti (Rabai) said that once an MP loses a seat, "they tend to live a life of confusion" and the Parliamentary Society of Kenya will be a good caucus to help them get back on their feet.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan is the brains behind the proposals that also seek to assure failed or retired politicians of a medical cover financed by taxpayers.

"Significantly, the bill is aimed at reversing the worrying trend where there are too many former members who cannot find their way around after losing a political seat," Keynan wrote in the memo.

The proposed law seeks to set up a body — they call it a society — that will handle the "welfare" of former MPs for the rest of their lives, and crucial to that welfare is the mental and emotional well-being of the MPs.

The society will "facilitate professional counselling of former Members of Parliament," according to the changes that Keynan made to the bill shortly before it was approved by the House.

"The Bill is aimed at ensuring that former members receive the necessary counselling which is important in ensuring that they are able to get back to ordinary life," reads the memo.

Former MPs will also contribute to a kitty, and they will also solicit money from donors to support their activities.

PROPOSED SOCIETY

Poll losers will also have room to be at the top of the food chain when it comes to public participation, because the new Bill gives the proposed society a role in facilitating "public participation and lobbying of interest groups on matters of general public concern".

It will also set up businesses and projects for MPs. The Government will have the job of setting up the rules of engagement, but these too will have to get the blessing of the National Assembly.

"The society may develop and manage any project or enterprise whose object is to make former Members of Parliament capable of self support; and prescribe the manner in which the Society may facilitate re-employment or re-retraining of former Members of Parliament," the new additions in the Bill noted.

The memo of the Bill also adds that the society will facilitate professional counselling services, provide advice on retirement, re-employment or re-training and financial planning to former Members of Parliament.