Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called for a change in the law to ensure that governors who serve two terms are automatically entitled to a pension.

Speaking on Thursday, August 14, 2025, during the second day of the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Odinga said governors play a key role in serving counties and deserve the same treatment as Members of Parliament when it comes to retirement benefits.

“The governors have mentioned it, that governors serve the counties, and they can serve one term or two terms,” Raila told delegates.

“I’ve got a number of governors who have served two terms. In Parliament, we did an amendment so that any Member of Parliament who serves two terms is automatically entitled to a pension. Why can we not do the same thing for the governors?”

Raila calls for pension equality

He emphasised that such a change would be fair, given the demands and responsibilities governors face while in office.

“A governor who has served two terms needs to be entitled automatically to a pension,” he said.

The ODM leader urged Members of Parliament to take up the matter and introduce the necessary legislation.

“This is a recommendation that should come from Homa Bay, and Members of Parliament should seize this matter,” Raila added.

His remarks come as Kenya marks over a decade of devolved governance under the 2010 Constitution. County governors, elected for a maximum of two five-year terms, are central to managing local resources, delivering services, and driving development at the grassroots. However, unlike MPs, governors are not automatically guaranteed pension benefits after completing their service.

Raila’s proposal could reignite debate on equity in retirement benefits among state officers.

The Devolution Conference, hosted in Homa Bay, has brought together national and county leaders, development partners, and policy experts to discuss progress and challenges in the devolution journey.