This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 14, 2019, Parliament announced that it would be paying out Sh32 million to the family of former Kibra MP Ken Okoth.
The amount includes his group life insurance cover and death gratuity, but the family will have to wait for some time as Parliament must first obtain a letter from the courts indicating the administrator of the late MP's estate.
According to a pension expert, the family is entitled to Sh32 million before tax, but the money will not be released immediately. 'We have to follow the law, which requires that we have to first get the letter of the administrator of the estate,' the expert said.
Once the administrator is appointed, the family will be able to claim the money, but only if they agree on how to share it. The name of the administrator must be published in the Kenya Gazette, so that anyone with an issue can come forward.
Ken Okoth's brother, Imran, declined to comment on the matter, stating that it was private and that the family's lawyer was best placed to handle it.
Lawmakers contribute 12.75 per cent of their salary as pension, which is matched by the State. The legislator's pensionable emoluments include salary, responsibility allowance, constituency allowance, nominated member's allowance, ex officio member's allowance, house allowance, accommodation allowance, and sitting allowance.
In March 2013, the SRC gazetted a remuneration package for MPs that included a gratuity calculated at the rate of 31 per cent of the annual basic pay. It is paid at the end of their term.
