County asked to let ex-MPs draw stipend

Former Amagoro MP Oduya Oprong being helped by his son Isaac in hospital in 2015. Oprong, who served as an assistant minister in former President Daniel Moi's government, is still battling ill health. [Silah Koskei, Standard]

The county assembly has been petitioned to formulate a law requiring the executive to create a kitty for former MPs.

The petitioner, Kennedy Epalat, wants the former legislators, who are now in their sunset years, to be paid a monthly stipend of Sh200,000, and have access to a health insurance cover.

Mr Epalat, while presenting his petition, said that the former MPs who served during the reigns of presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi were languishing in poverty.

He said it had become a challenge for the former legislators to afford expenses such as medical bills.

According to Epalat, who hails from Teso South, the county government has failed to recognise these former leaders for the work they did while representing their constituents in Parliament.

Some of those who served in the past regimes from Busia are: Oduya Oprong, James Osogo, Philip Masinde, Gabriel Emoto Ebu, Francis Masakhalia, Christine Mango, Julia Ojiambo, Moody Awori and Albert Ekirapa.

Epalat said Mr Oprong, the former MP for Amagoro, has been confined to a wheelchair since 2015, when he suffered a mild stroke. His family, the petitioner said, is unable to foot his medical expenses.

In 2015, he was admitted to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where, without insurance, he accumulated a huge medical bill that the family struggled to pay. This prompted Deputy President William Ruto to come to his rescue and he setted the bill.

Former Budalang’i MP James Osogo has also been ailing for sometime now after he suffered a mild stroke.

“It is prudent that the county government sets aside a kitty for those who served in the previous regimes and currently cannot even pay for their medication due to poverty,” reads the petition in part. It was handed to the Clerk Allan Mabuka.

“The assembly should make recommendations that it deems fit under the circumstances in the interest of fairness to men and women who represented the electorate from Busia County.”

Epalat said it was only through the county assembly that the former legislators can be assisted.