Kenya President Signs Law Extending Equal Pensions to Female MPs and Widowers

President William Ruto assented to the Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Act on July 6. The measure grants female Members of Parliament the same pension, gratuity and dependent coverage previously available only to male legislators. It also extends pension rights to widowers and children of deceased female MPs.

AllAfrica reported that the widower of a deceased female MP is now legally entitled to receive a spousal pension. Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge said the 1983 Act had not recognized widowers even though practice already did so. The new law brings widowers into the pension estate of a deceased female Member of Parliament.

A central provision lets MPs choose between a pension or a gratuity at the end of their term. Only those selecting a pension will have contributions deducted from their salaries. The amendments also provide pension payments to MPs forced to retire on grounds of ill health and increase benefits for families of deceased legislators.

Legal representatives of MPs who die before completing 12 months of service will receive one full year's salary. The law amends the Parliamentary Pensions Act (Cap. 196) to cover both the National Assembly and the Senate.

It introduces gratuity payments for legislators who serve a single term, following recommendations from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. The legislation restructures the Pensions Management Committee and the Pensions Tribunal to include representation from both houses of Parliament.