Senators are set to discuss a Bill that seeks to protect opposition leaders led by ODM leader Raila Odinga and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka from harassment by the state.
The bill sponsored by Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina seeks to ensure that the government does not withdraw the security of the leaders.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker's bill further seeks to amend the law on retirement benefits for top Government officials so that a joint committee of Parliament reviews any decisions the State makes about their perks.
[caption caption="File image of Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina"]
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This is to safeguard such decisions to ensure they are not taken just to intimidate Opposition leaders.
Additionally, the Bill seeks to amend the Retirement Benefits (Deputy President and Designated State Officers) Bill 2015 in order to provide that the former officials are assigned a specific number of armed bodyguards.
The 2015 bill was vetoed by President Kenyatta and gave conditions, among them that Raila and Kalonzo must first resign from active politics by relinquishing their party positions before they are considered for the perks allocated to them.
However, both Raila and Kalonzo rejected Uhuru's demands.
In the proposed bill, the former premier and ex-Vice President should be entitled to not less than six armed bodyguards and no more than 10.
Moreover, it also sets up a joint parliamentary committee to ensure that the Executive does not alter or modify the entitlements with an intention to intimidate the leaders.
National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga and his coalition partners, Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Musalia Mudavadi of Amani National Congress, and former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka are among those set to benefit from the Bill should it sail through.
[caption caption="File image of NASA Principals Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi at a past press conference"]
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