MPs should have heeded the Speaker’s advice
Nov 02, 2010
MPs last week hurriedly passed a Bill to provide for their retirement benefits. The Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2000 was introduced in May and will provide for a formula to calculate the benefits to MPs who have served since 2001.
MPs last week hurriedly passed a Bill to provide for their retirement benefits. The Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2000 was introduced in May and will provide for a formula to calculate the benefits to MPs who have served since 2001.
The same Bill will enable the transfer of MPs’ benefits to another scheme from the parliamentary one upon their retirement.
Since 2001, MPs have been making a monthly contribution of 15% of their pay to the parliamentary scheme while the Government has been contributing 30%. MPs earn between sh12m and 15m per month which translates to sh3.6m per MP per month as pension benefits.
The MPs would not hear of the Speaker’s appeal to stay the Bill in order to have time to internalise it. A disturbing trend is emerging in the country. There is a stampede for political office because it seems that is where quick money is! Political office has ceased to be a form of service and mutated into a gravy train. That might explain the length to which many candidates will go to secure a seat in Parliament. The situation is particularly alarming when we consider that the number of districts have soared from 80 last year to 112 today!
How many constituencies are in those districts and what does it mean to the national coffers? Does anyone care? Compare the remuneration of MPs with those of professionals like teachers, doctors, university professors etc. Given the country’s resources and the state of its social services, is it necessary or fair to have such a devastatingly gigantic Parliament? What is it that makes MPs a special class of citizens? It is prudent the MPs listen to the Speaker’s advice if their interest is not to feather their nests.
The same Bill will enable the transfer of MPs’ benefits to another scheme from the parliamentary one upon their retirement.
Since 2001, MPs have been making a monthly contribution of 15% of their pay to the parliamentary scheme while the Government has been contributing 30%. MPs earn between sh12m and 15m per month which translates to sh3.6m per MP per month as pension benefits.
The MPs would not hear of the Speaker’s appeal to stay the Bill in order to have time to internalise it. A disturbing trend is emerging in the country. There is a stampede for political office because it seems that is where quick money is! Political office has ceased to be a form of service and mutated into a gravy train. That might explain the length to which many candidates will go to secure a seat in Parliament. The situation is particularly alarming when we consider that the number of districts have soared from 80 last year to 112 today!
How many constituencies are in those districts and what does it mean to the national coffers? Does anyone care? Compare the remuneration of MPs with those of professionals like teachers, doctors, university professors etc. Given the country’s resources and the state of its social services, is it necessary or fair to have such a devastatingly gigantic Parliament? What is it that makes MPs a special class of citizens? It is prudent the MPs listen to the Speaker’s advice if their interest is not to feather their nests.