Wamuzi News KeIn a dramatic turn within Parliament today, several Members of Parliament introduced a motion calling for the withdrawal of retirement benefits from prominent former national leaders—including former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, ex-Speaker Justin Muturi, and retired Chief Justice David Maraga—escalating political tensions over accountability and public funding.
The motion, brought forward during a high-stakes plenary session, demands that the Executive halt pension payments and other perks to the trio, citing public outrage over what MPs described as “unjustified expenditures” to former officials perceived as disconnected from day‑to‑day governance. While details of proposed legal mechanisms remain unclear, proponents claim the move is rooted in fiscal responsibility and demands for ethical stewardship of the public purse.
MPs backing the proposal argued that in an economy facing intense budgetary stress, citizens are outraged that legacy leaders continue to draw from the coffers. “They can do better without it,” one legislator remarked, igniting speculation that the effort may target even more ex-officeholders in future sessions .
By naming Kalonzo Musyoka, a former presidential hopeful; Justin Muturi, whose tenure as National Assembly Speaker ended in 2022; and David Maraga, known nationally for leading the Supreme Court’s historic nullification of the 2017 election, Parliament signals a new front in public-sector reform debates.
The symbolic impact of targeting Maraga resonates sharply. His decisive rulings and calls for constitutional accountability earned him national acclaim—and now place him at the centre of this emerging controversy.
Critics warn the motion risks politicizing retirement benefits and could undermine institutional independence, particularly of the judiciary. Analysts note that relations between Parliament and former high officeholders may hit a new low, as oversight battles intensify over resource distribution and the boundaries of legislative power.
The motion is set for debate and eventual vote in the coming weeks, offering a preview of deeper constitutional disputes to follow. As unemployment rises and cost-of-living pressures bite, this headline-grabbing push to strip perks from former office-bearers adds a combustible element to Kenya’s fraught governance landscape.
