In a heated parliamentary session, lawmakers expressed outrage over the plight of retirees, with some having fallen into depression, died in poverty, or struggled to survive. “2006 was such a long time ago. Don’t you think some of these people may have already passed away?” asked Butere MP Tindi Mwale, directing his frustration at PS Daghar. Aldai MP Marianne Kitany criticised the Transport Ministry’s dismissive response, stating, “It is painful to learn that retirees are languishing in poverty because they have not been paid, despite having served diligently”
For 270 retired employees of Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), their ‘golden’ years have turned into a nightmare despite dedicating years of service to the state-owned corporation. The retirees have been waiting for their retirement benefits, totalling Ksh 21.9 million, for 19 years since 2006. The Auditor General’s 2022/2023 report flagged this unclaimed sum, noting it has been sitting idle in a State Department account at the Central Bank of Kenya for years, with no comprehensive list of beneficiaries actively maintained, fueling suspicions of mismanagement or neglect.
The retirees’ plight is now under scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, which has exposed shocking bureaucratic inertia at KRC and the Transport State Department, raising questions about whether justice will ever be served.
Lawmakers, led by PAC Chairperson Tindi Mwale, have summoned KRC Managing Director Philip Mainga and Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar to explain the prolonged delay. MPs are demanding answers about why retirees remain unpaid despite the funds’ availability. Complicating matters, responsibility for payments was allegedly shifted from KRC to the Transport State Department years ago, a transition poorly executed and never clearly justified, leaving accountability in limbo.
In a heated parliamentary session, lawmakers voiced outrage over the retirees’ suffering, with some having fallen into depression, died in poverty, or struggled to survive. “2006 is such a long time. Don’t you think some of these people may have already passed away?” asked Butere MP Tindi Mwale, directing his frustration at PS Daghar. Aldai MP Marrianne Kitany slammed the Transport Ministry’s casual response, stating, “It is painful to learn that retirees are languishing in poverty because they have not been paid, despite having served diligently.” Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda questioned why KRC and the State Department were requiring retirees to personally appear for verification after 19 years, asking, “This delay is why people fall into depression. Why hasn’t the State Department proactively ensured payments are made?”
KRC Managing Director Philip Mainga has stayed silent on this specific issue in recent months, though his leadership has drawn criticism in previous years for inefficiencies within the corporation. Despite overseeing modernization projects like the Nairobi Commuter Rail revamp and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) expansion, earning praise for infrastructure gains, Mainga has faced ongoing scrutiny for neglecting workers’ welfare. This isn’t KRC’s first controversy over retiree funds; past reports have highlighted pensioners’ accusations of delayed benefits processing, leaving many without financial security in old age, though the Auditor General’s recent findings have finally spurred action.
Transport PS Mohamed Daghar defended the government, claiming the retiree vetting process remains incomplete, with some retirees untraceable or lacking updated documentation like bank details. MPs dismissed this, arguing that KRC, a well-structured institution, should have detailed employee records. Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo challenged Daghar, asking, “You cannot tell me that KRC does not have the details of these retirees. Since 2006, have you even attempted to update this information? Does this matter not break your heart?” Lawmakers urged immediate payments, starting with retirees whose details are verified.
The failure to disburse available funds for 19 years raises serious concerns: Is this mere bureaucratic negligence, or does it hint at corruption and fund mismanagement? Past government scandals have shown pension funds deliberately withheld, allowing officials to exploit unclaimed benefits. Could a similar scheme be at play within KRC and the Transport Ministry? With parliamentary pressure intensifying, Mainga and Daghar must soon face the PAC again, this time with proof of action.
For the 270 retirees, the wait has been agonizingly long. Some may not survive to see justice, but the government owes them a dignified resolution. If KRC and the Transport Ministry fail to act, Parliament may demand stronger accountability, including audits of retiree fund handling. As the nation watches, one question lingers: Will Kenya Railways retirees finally receive their due, or will this become another forgotten scandal?
