A bid by accountants to hand retiring auditors general a handsome sendoff package has flopped. This is after MPs shot down a proposal by the Institute of Public Accountants of Kenya for auditor generals’ retirement perks.
The accountants lobby wanted a retired auditor general paid a monthly pension at 70 per cent of their monthly salary.
This would have seen a retired auditor general earn about Sh660,000 monthly, translating to slightly above Sh8 million annually.
ICPAK proposed that on retirement, the auditor general is to be paid a lump sum of one year’s salary for each term served.
Accountants also asked MPs to change the law to provide a retired auditor general one 3,000cc fourwheel vehicle replaceable every four years.
A fuel allowance equal to 15 per cent of their latest monthly salary was also part of the proposal. ICPAK also wanted the officers handed full medical and hospital cover, for local and overseas treatment, for the entitled person and their spouse.
Above this, the accountants asked the National Assembly Finance Committee to consider additional benefits for retired auditors.
They vouched for a driver, personal assistant, housekeeper, senior support staff, gardener, cleaner, as well as two armed security guards.
Accountants also asked MPs to consider listing diplomatic passports for the entitled beneficiary and spouse. They also prayed for maintenance expenses for the vehicles and access to the VIP lounge at all airports.
The committee chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani has rejected the proposal citing the tough economic times.
“The committee had noted that the proposal expands the subject matter of the bill and has financial implications which are not tenable in the current circumstances,” the House team said.
The committee’s recommendations can, however, be overturned in a vote at the plenary of all members of the National Assembly, but rarely do committee positions get changed.
Edward Ouko, the immediate former Auditor General under the current constitution, lamented going home empty-handed.
Terming the job as thankless, the former auditor general once told MPs that he only took home a one-of gratuity.
He said no pension, protection, or medical cover was provided to him despite holding the post from August 2011 to August 2019.
His security was also withdrawn immediately after retirement and has been left to his devices, including meeting health expenses.
Ouko’s woe, as per his argument before the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (then under Jeremiah Kioni former Ndaragwa MP), was that the job gave him no time to engage in other economic activities.