Some 291 Members of Parliament have come out to support the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over alleged abuse of office and gross violations of the Constitution.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse tabled the motion, presenting 11 grounds to impeach the DP. The move has been backed by the majority of the lawmakers who claim that the DP has grossly violated the Constitution multiple times throughout the past two years.
The 291 MPs in support of the motion surpassed the threshold of 117 members required to table the motion. Should the impeachment succeed, Gachagua is set to lose multiple benefits enjoyed by State officers.
Article 230(4)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya empowers the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review and set the remuneration and benefits for State officers, including the Deputy President.
According to the current salary scale for Deputy President, Gachagua takes home a gross monthly salary of Sh1,227,188.
This consists of a basic salary of Sh736,313, additional allowances, including a house allowance of Sh300,000, an official commuter allowance, and a salary market adjustment of Sh 190,875.
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The DP is also entitled to an official car in line with prevailing government transport policy. Other benefits include an annual medical cover that is extended to his spouse and up to four children below twenty-five years who are fully dependent on him.
Gachagua enjoys inpatient medical coverage of Sh10 million, outpatient coverage of Sh300,000, and maternity coverage of Sh150,000. Additionally, he receives dental coverage of Sh75,000 and optical coverage of Sh75,000.
At the same time, DP Gachagua is entitled to several other benefits, including group life insurance coverage equivalent to three times the annual pensionable emoluments.
He is also entitled to a personal accident cover equivalent to three times the annual pensionable emoluments, a daily subsistence allowance for local and foreign travels, and a monthly airtime of Sh20,000.
Other benefits are official residence with home amenities and attendants, security, and an annual leave allowance of Sh50,000 per annum.
In addition, the DP is also assigned a retirement benefit package during their lifetime as outlined in the Retirement Benefits for Deputy President and Designated State Officers Act.
Upon retirement, a DP receives a monthly pension amounting to eighty percent of the last monthly salary while in office (Sh589,050).
Retired DPs are also entitled to the provision of two saloon vehicles, one four-wheel drive vehicle, a fuel allowance equivalent to fifteen percent of the current monthly salary, and full medical and hospital insurance, among others.
