Uproar as Kenyan MPs Move to Retain Sh10 Million Medical Cover Even After They Lose Re-Election

MPs are under fire from Kenyans over their push to amend the Parliamentary Pension’s Act to ensure they enjoy full medical cover even after losing their seats.

If the changes proposed by Mwatate MP Andrew Mwadime are adopted, MPs and their spouses will retain a Sh10 million medical scheme for the inpatient cover per family, Sh300,000 for outpatient cover, Sh150,000 for maternity and Sh75,000 for dental care after being voted out.

Further to this, Mwadime is seeking to have MPs who serve for only one term be eligible for pension. Currently, only MPs who have served for two terms or more enjoy retirement packages.

Mwadime argues that most former MPs are suffering under the heavy cost of medical expenses.

The move has, however, angered Kenyans who took to social media to call out MPs, accusing them of being greedy. Here is what Kenyans on Twitter said about the plan by MPs.

@MbuchiGeorge tweeted: “House of greed.”

@bigkoros said: “These pigs know most of them are not coming back next election, so they are setting themselves up.”

@AmThePaul wrote: “@NAssemblyKE have failed to make healthcare work so they are rushing to cover their behinds before the country sinks. Most of them will die in South Africa, India, London and the U.S.”

@ViqRuto noted: “Imagine a 5-year contract job (they never even achieve half their performance indicators) that sets you for life with USD 1,000 pension every month, USD 100,000 medical cover. Wow! NB: The Kenyan Parliament has over 300 representatives with allowances higher than salary.”

@CleophasIsaac stated: “MPs plan: Ksh10M medical cover after losing seat. Pension for one term lawmakers after the 100k monthly pensions. This is 2020 and Kenyans we are still on our own.”

@Waambui tweeted: “MPs have failed to oversight the national govt that is looting funds meant for healthcare but want Kenyans to pay for their full medical cover even after they lose their seats. Pathetic!”