Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will receive Ksh8 million instant payment if he resigns. This is equated to a monthly pension equal to eighty per cent of the monthly salary.
At the same time, if he does not resign, Gachagua risks losing a lump sum of benefits if the axe of impeachment still falls on him at the Senate.
Lawyer Wills Otieno speaking with Citizen TV cited, “Gachagua risks losing the retirement benefits of a former Deputy President if he is removed from office.”
“When you are being impeached, it is a punishment thus, you do not expect to enjoy the full benefits; otherwise, it defeats the very purpose of that penalty,” Lawyer Willis Otieno further elaborated.
However, if the second in command decides to embrace the resigning option he will be entitled to a number of benefits as outlined in the Retirement Benefits Act of 2015, a retired Deputy President.
The perks will include a monthly pension equivalent to 80 per cent of his last salary, and a huge payoff equal to 12 months of his last salary.
In addition, Gachagua will be accorded security, medical insurance, and a diplomatic-purpose passport for him and his wife.
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Retirement Benefits for Deputy President
According to the Retirement Benefits Act of 2015, a retired Deputy President is entitled to several benefits.
Furthermore, Gachagua will be entitled to these benefits if he opts to voluntarily resign.
A person who holds an appointive or elective office in the Government; and previously held a position to which pension and other benefits accrue under this Act, shall, upon retirement or ceasing to hold that office entitled under this Act, be paid-
(i) A monthly pension equal to eighty per cent of the monthly salary of the entitled person’s last monthly salary while in office
(ii) A lump sum payment on retirement as calculated as a sum equal to one year’s salary paid for each term served in office.
The deputy president will also lose Ksh. 108,000 fuel allowance.
Also Read: Gachagua Takes Over Ruto’s Church Event
Gachagua’s Fate lies in the Senate
Gachagua’s fate, however, now lies with the Senate after 282 Members of Parliament voted for his impeachment.
Following a receipt of the National Assembly’s resolution on the impeachment process, the speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi was notified and the plenary hearing of the impeachment is set on October 16 and October 17, 2024.
“The clerk today to send invitations to appear to the deputy president and the National Assembly. Parties are to file responses with the clerk of the Senate by Monday, October 14, 2024, by 5 pm,” Kingi the Senate speaker stated.
Further, he added, “The clerk is to circulate documents received from parties including the plenary hearing programme to all senators upon receipt on Monday Senate shall then investigate the matter in plenary on Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17, 2024.”
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