Lawmakers back Bill to end delay of pension

A proposed law is seeking to introduce timelines for payment of pension to ensure retirees are not forced to wait for too long.

And the law, if passed, will compel the government to pay the cash on time.

The Bill by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa (pictured), and which is currently in Parliament, seeks to repeal the Pensions Act, Cap. 189 to provide a timeline within which the money shall be paid to a retired officer.

Yesterday, MPs supported the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2020, and called for its speedy passage.

The lawmakers also made reference to a petition before the House that seeks urgent disbursement of pension funds.

The petition filed on behalf of pensioners by Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua seeks the intervention of MPs to push the government and ensure their pension too does not have to wait for years.

Nominated MP Wilson Sossion said employers should mind the welfare of retirees. "If the employees retire without receiving their pension, they should be retained in the payroll," said the Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary-general.

"It should be incumbent upon employers to ensure employees get their pension as soon as they leave service.”

All MPs agreed that civil servants must get their dues on time. “We have in one accord agreed to fast track this Bill and by April, it will be awaiting presidential assent,” said Nominated MP David ole Sankok.

Igembe Central MP Cyprian Kubai accused some civil servants of frustrating efforts of retirees. “I know a teacher who told me that for them to get their pension processed, one has to pay Sh50,000. One of them came to borrow Sh50,000 from me to pay those officers to have his file made available. If you don’t pay, the file is hidden forever.”

Speaker Justin Muturi challenged the MPs to stop lamenting and act. The issue of pension has been a painful blow to many Kenyans, he said.