House team to push for release of Sh3.68 billion ex-MPs' pension

The National Treasury Photo:Courtesy

A parliamentary committee has been formed to push for speedy payment of Sh18.8 million for each of the 196 MPs who lost in the August elections.

The Parliamentary Pensions Management Committee will press for the processing of Sh3.68 billion total payout, which is pension for the one-term MPs.

Lawmakers approved the names of nominees to the committee on Wednesday, as members of the National Assembly closed ranks to insist the welfare of their former colleagues must be looked into as a matter of urgency.

The MPs approved the appointment of Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo woman rep) and Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) to the committee, which also has representatives from Treasury and the Attorney General’s office.

The motion elicited heated debate, with legislators from both Jubilee Party and National Super Alliance in a rare show of unity insisting that the plight of the ex-MPs must be immediately addressed by the committee.

“There are already 160 applications from former MPs that need to be disposed of. This committee needs to hit the ground running and help our former colleagues start their lives in retirement comfortably,” said Leader of Majority Aden Duale.

Each of the one-term MPs floored in the August General Election is entitled to a one-off payment of Sh18.8 million.

The MPs’ pensions are catered for by the Parliamentary Pensions Act, which stipulates that only those who serve two terms are entitled to Sh125,000 every month for the rest of their lives.

PENSION DEDUCTIONS

The Parliamentary Service Commission deducts 12.75 per cent from each MP’s pay and deposits the amount in the Consolidated Fund.

Legislators who serve one term are refunded the equivalent of three times their monthly pension deductions plus 15 per cent interest for every year served.

Yesterday, MPs Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Milemba Omboko (Emuhaya), Tom Odege (Nyatike) and Mohamed Duale (Daadab) voiced approval for the motion moved by Majority Deputy Whip Cecily Mbarire (nominated), emphasising that the plight of the former legislators must be addressed.

“As MPs we should consider the welfare of our colleagues out there who were not lucky to make their way back to the House. It is sad to see former lawmakers coming to beg for money from sitting MPs,” said Ms Wangari.