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Governors and their deputies who serve two terms in office will be entitled to a lifetime pension should MPs pass a proposed amendment to the law governing state officers’ welfare.

The proposal by Nyando MP Jared Okelo (pictured) seeks to amend the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, Cap. 19B to have governors and their deputies included into the league of President, Deputy President and MPs who are guaranteed a gratuity and lifetime pension upon retirement.

The County chiefs currently enjoy gratuity equivalent to 31 per cent of the basic pay earned in the period they serve.

Okelo who has written to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula communicating his intention to amend the retirement benefits law argued that Governors and their deputies are state officers just like MPs and thus should be catered once they leave office.

He argued that the pension will enable the protection of the welfare of Governors and Deputy Governors after they leave office.”

Demands unrealistic

Reads the proposal: “Pursuant to Standing Order 114(1), I would like to introduce a Bill to amend the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, Cap. 197B to provide for the payment of gratuity and monthly pension for Governors and Deputy Governors who serve for two terms.”

It adds: “Although Governors and Deputy Governors are state officers within the meaning of Article 260 of the Constitution, the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Act, Cap. 197B has not been provided for them.”

This is not the first time that an attempt is being made after in 2021 both governors and Members of the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) made a similar attempt after they proposed send-off packages similar to those enjoyed by retired presidents, deputy presidents, chief justices, and speakers of Parliament from the county coffers.

The governors and their deputies sought a lifetime pension of up to Sh2.3 billion annually and a monthly pension of Sh739,200 (governors) and Sh700,000 (deputies) respectively.

Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), however, disputed the demands terming it as unrealistic, unsustainable and a burden to taxpayers.

SRC said: “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.”