Senators agree to support Governors in push for pensions
Governors and senators have hammered a deal that will see legislation put in place to have retiring county bosses go home with hefty packages.
In the renewed push for the pensions, the governors have this time round robbed in the senate hoping to have it succeed after an earlier bid through the MCAs failed.
In a communiqué following a two-day inaugural summit in Naivasha, it was agreed that the Senate push the proposal by “enacting legislation that caters for pension for retiring governors”.
Among other agreements, the leaders resolved to push for the strengthening of intergovernmental relations and institutions.
“That the Senate fast-tracks legislation to anchor the Council of Governors’ (COG) secretariat in law and to put in place a legal framework for the funding of its operations."
Through the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), the governors had in 2021 proposed send-off packages similar to that enjoyed by retired presidents, deputy presidents, chief justices, and speakers of Parliament from the county coffers.
It would have also seen their deputies, speakers, and MCAs go home with hefty packages.
The governors and their deputies sought for a lifetime pension of up to Sh2.3 billion annually and a monthly pension of Sh739,200 (governors) and Sh700,000 (deputies) respectively.
According to the Bill, retiring governors who serve for two terms get a lump sum of one-year salary, meaning with the current payout of Sh924,000 per month, the total pay would be Sh11.1 million.
Apart from the pay, they were also seeking a lump sum payment equivalent to their one-year pay, a 3,000cc four-wheel-drive car, fuel allowance, a driver, a personal assistant, and medical cover for local and overseas treatment.
Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), however, disputed terming it as unrealistic, unsustainable and a burden to taxpayers.
"The proposal for pension and other non-pension benefits for governors and deputies are not fiscally affordable and sustainable due to the budgetary implication. For instance, it will cost public coffers in excess of Sh2.3 billion in the first year alone,” SRC said.
The COG argued that other countries with devolved governments like Nigeria or South Africa provide a pension for their governors.
The commission said it agreed with the CoG in January 2020 in setting up a pension scheme for State officers in the county, including governors and deputies.
In addition, they have proposed a monthly pension of 80 per cent of Ksh924,000 which amounts to Ksh739,200 for the rest of their lives. Upon demise, their spouses receive 50 per cent of the monthly pension.
For retired Deputy Governors, the Bill proposes a lump sum payout of Ksh7.45 million a year that is from their current monthly salary of Ksh621,250.
On top of that, they are pushing to be entitled to a monthly pension at 60 per cent that is equivalent to Sh372,750 for the rest of their lives, upon demise, their spouses are entitled to enjoy 50 per cent monthly pension. BY THE STAR
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