The National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) now wants Deputy President William Ruto retirement perks slashed.
In its report tabled in the House for consideration, the committee chaired by Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni terms the Retirement Benefits that was enacted in 2015 during William Ruto’s first term as ‘excessive.’
If affected, the changes will see William Ruto who is expected to finish his two terms in office be the hardest hit as he will pocket a reduced lump sum payout.
In 2017, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) slashed Deputy President Ruto’s monthly salary to KSh 1.2 million down from KSh 1.4 million.
According to the Retirement Benefits Act 2015, a retired Deputy President shall during his or her lifetime be entitled to a monthly pension equal to 80 percent of the monthly salary of the entitled person’s last monthly salary while in office.
The person is also entitled to a lump sum payment on retirement calculated as a sum equal to one year’s salary paid for each term served in office, two salon vehicles of engine capacity not exceeding 2000cc which shall be replaceable once every four years.
Apart from the Deputy pResident, others set to be affected include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
The move to slash William Ruto retirement perks comes barely a month after the government allocated KSh41.9 million in pension benefits for ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi for his role as Kenya’s Vice President for two months he served under late President Daniel Moi.
The new estimates were tabled to the Parliament by Treasury CS Ekur Yattani, which were approved by the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly.
“By virtue of having served as vice president for two months between November and December 2002, Musalia falls within the meaning of the Deputy President and Designated State Officers Act. The former VP will now earn a monthly pension of KSh240, 000—calculated at 80 percent of the last earned salary,” the Treasury said.
Furthermore, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka continue receiving retirement package for their previous top government roles.
In the 2021/2022 financial year budget, the two were allocated KSh200 million up from the KSh785 million set aside in the current financial year.
On salaries, the two veteran politicians were awarded an annual pay of Ksh25 million which translates to KSh2.08 million in a month for each one of them.
