Report: Public service retirees struggle to get their benefits from State

Nearly 70 per cent of retired public servants face difficulties in following up on their benefits, the Ombudsman reports.

According to a new survey, it takes between one and 10 years for a retiree to access retirement benefits.

The delay is attributed to poor records management, which results in misplacement of files, centralisation of services, bureaucracy, complex and rigid systems and corruption.

In the report, the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) says cases referred to them for redress have ballooned in the last three years, painting a picture of the difficulties faced by the retired employees.

"It was also established that some employers take long to submit documents for the processing of benefits to the Pensions Department," the report reads.

MISSING FILES

It adds: "It is unacceptable that those who have committed most of their productive years to serving our country and our people are subjected to endless pursuits when they should be left to enjoy their sunset years."

The report cites corruption as a major challenge that hinders timely disbursement of pensions, with bribes allegedly solicited to retrieve 'missing files'.

It, however, notes that "the complaints on delays in payment of retirement benefits not only points to the difficulties Kenyans are faced with while pursuing their retirement benefits, but also increased awareness on the existence of an avenue for redressing public complaints against public institutions and officers – the Office of the Ombudsman".

The report recommends reforms in the regulatory framework of the pensions body, saying as currently constituted, it is full of provisions that are inconsistent with changing social trends.