Local – KhendoFM

Questions as Governors ask for hefty sendoff perks

Godwill — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 13:44:12 +0000

Governors who have served for two terms may be paid as much as Sh11.1 million in lump sum and a proposed lifetime monthly pension of Sh739,200 if the 47 County Assemblies and the National Assemblies approve a bill fronted by County Assemblies Forum.

The County State Officers Pension Scheme Act, 2021 by the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) is eyeing to pay governors, their deputies, speakers and MCAs with hefty packages after leaving office – in the same way the President, Deputy President, Chief Justice and Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate are rewarded on retirement.

“The object of the Scheme is to provide benefits for its members upon their retirement, or for their dependants or nominees upon the death of such members. A person who is a governor, deputy governor, county assembly speaker or member of a county assembly on or at any time after the commencement of this Act shall be a member of the Scheme,” reads the proposed law.

“Upon the death of an entitled person…, the surviving spouse of the entitled person shall be entitled to 50 per cent of the pension which was payable to an entitled person,” the Bill adds.

On its part, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) currently recommends a lump sum payment of at least Sh10.3 million for governors, Sh6.9 million for their deputies, Sh2.9 million for speakers and Sh1.6 million for MCAs upon vacating office.

The new Bill also proposes an award of a 3,000cc four-wheel drive car, fuel allowance a personal assistant/secretary, a house keeper, a medical cover for local and overseas treatment and maintenance expenses for the vehicles for governors.

Their deputies will be entitled to additional benefits of at least one car with an engine capacity not exceeding 3,000cc, a driver, a personal assistant and full medical cover for the speaker and their spouse. This package will also be extended to the speakers, their spouses and children.

The new proposals are, however, likely to be resisted by the public. Talking to ‘KhendoFM’ a former MCA speaking on condition of anonymity said ‘while I welcome the proposal, the timing and poor performing economy cannot support the luxury’.

Justice at last for lawyer Willie Kimani? Court finds that police officers have case to answer

Godwill — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:43:30 +0000

A Court in Nairobi has found that four police officers and another civilian have case to answer in murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client and a taxi driver.

The case has been delayed for long long after he was abducted and killed 5 years ago.

On Monday, Justice Jessie Lessit has ruled that after going through all the evidence provided by the prosecution, all the five accused persons in the Willie Kimani murder case have a case to answer.

The prosecution last week formally closed its case in the case after calling a total of 46 witnesses.

The accused include four APs and a police informant.

The APs are Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku and Leonard Mwangi – are charged alongside Peter Ngugi, the police informant.

“I have considered the entire evidence and having done so I have come to conclusions that the prosecution has established a prima facies case,” Lessit ruled.

High court bars Ann Kananu nominee Mutunga Mutungi from being sworn in as Nairobi deputy governor

Godwill — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:42:56 +0000

Following a constitutional petition filed by activist Okiya Omtatah at the High Court Friday morning challenging the eligibility of Paul Mutunga Mutungi to hold the office of the Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County on account of the on-going corruption cases against him in the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court, and also challenging the constitutional and legal validity of the process used to nominate, vet, and approve him for appointment, Justice Mrima granted the conservatory orders barring him on two counts.

The first order prohibits Mr. Mutunga from taking the oath of office or assuming the office of the Deputy Governor pending the hearing and determination of both the petition .

Additionally, the order prohibits Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu Mwenda from appointing Mr. Mutungi as the Nairobi Deputy Governor pending the hearing and determination of both the application and the petition.

Questions as Governors ask for hefty sendoff perks

Godwill — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 16:40:36 +0000

Governors who have served for two terms may be paid as much as Sh11.1 million in lump sum and a proposed lifetime monthly pension of Sh739,200 if the 47 County Assemblies and the National Assemblies approve a bill fronted by County Assemblies Forum.

“Upon the death of an entitled person…, the surviving spouse of the entitled person shall be entitled to 50 per cent of the pension which was payable to an entitled person,” the Bill adds.