Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti wants MCAs to approve the draft county state officers’ Pension Scheme Act, 2021, for him get a retirement package.
The draft bill seeks to reward governors, their deputies, speakers and MCAs with hefty send off packages.
The bill is pushed by County Assemblies Forum, an umbrella body that brings together speakers and MCAs from the 47 counties.
If approved, it will enable the mentioned group to continue earning even after retirement.
The money will be sourced from the County State Officers Retirement Benefits Scheme, which will be established if MCAs give the proposal a green-light.
Governor Awiti and his deputy Hamilton Orata are serving their second and final term.
“The executive has worked closely with this assembly since 2013. I don’t see any reason why the proposed law cannot be approved to help me and my deputy retire honourably," Awiti said.
The governor said he vied for the seat in 2013 to work for the people and will be leaving office after serving for two terms with empty hands.
During the event, Awiti highlighted some of his administration's achievements and what he intends to do within the remaining months to election.
Under the recommendations, a retired governor who has served two terms like Awiti will receive a lump sum payment calculated as a total of their one-year basic salary.
Each governor will also receive a lifetime basic monthly payment equivalent to 80 per cent of their last monthly salary.
According to the current salary payment, each governor should receive a lump sum of Sh11.1 million on top of Sh739, 200 every month for the rest of their lives.
In case of death after leaving office, the benefits will be paid to their spouses who will get the benefits in half for the rest of their lives.
Deputy governors also have similar benefits but get Sh7.45 million lump sum pay and Sh372,750 every month with their spouses also listed as beneficiaries in case of death.
Speakers too are supposed to benefit from the proposed law and are set to get Sh3.1 million lump sum and Sh155,925 monthly pension.
On top of the pay, governors and their deputies are supposed to get drivers, vehicles and personal assistants, among other benefits.
Orata asked the MCAs to allocate time, discuss the proposed bill and pass it.
He said they will hand over power peacefully since they have started making ways of coming up with a transition committee.
The assembly majority leader George Okello said the matter will be considered after ODM nominations.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
