Wetangula "56% Of Current MPs Unlikely to Return in 2027"
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has delivered a stark message to Kenyan legislators, predicting that 56% of the sitting Members of Parliament will fail to secure re-election in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a session as Parliament resumes what could be its final sittings before the next polls, Wetang'ula urged MPs to prioritize securing their post-parliamentary future by pushing for adequate funding of the parliamentary pension scheme. He highlighted the high turnover expected among lawmakers, emphasizing that many will soon transition out of active political life and will rely on pension benefits.
The Speaker stressed Parliament's critical role as custodian of the national purse, calling on members to scrutinize budget estimates carefully and support measures that ensure sustainable pension provisions. According to Wetang'ula, with such a large portion of the current cohort unlikely to return, it is essential to safeguard retirement benefits now rather than later.
His remarks come against the backdrop of growing public scrutiny of parliamentary performance and spending, as well as ongoing debates about MPs' welfare amid economic challenges facing ordinary Kenyans. Wetang'ula's blunt assessment of re-election prospects underscores the volatile political landscape ahead, where incumbents face tough competition from new aspirants and shifting voter sentiments.
The warning serves as both a reality check for legislators and a strategic push to fast-track pension-related legislation or allocations before the current term winds down. Whether this call will translate into concrete action on pension funding remains to be seen, but it has already sparked conversations about accountability, legacy, and life after Parliament for Kenya's lawmakers.
As the road to 2027 heats up, Wetang'ula's words remind MPs that their time in the august House may be shorter than many anticipate—making preparations for the future all the more urgent.
