By TWV Team
The Senate Labour Committee has issued a formal summons to National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for repeatedly failing to appear before it to address the delayed pension payments to former Kenya Railways employees and ex-councillors.
The Committee, chaired by West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor, has warned that should the Treasury CS fail to honour the latest summons set for 20th August, he risks a fine of Sh500,000 in accordance with parliamentary procedure.
“This committee has summoned National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to appear before us without fail on August 20th, as the matters at hand are crucial and directly affect senior citizens who have served this country diligently,” Senator Murgor said.
Mr Mbadi has missed two prior scheduled appearances, including one last Thursday and another this week, citing urgent assignments from President William Ruto as the reason for his absence. His failure to attend has drawn sharp criticism from several members of the committee.
The Committee had intended to engage the Treasury CS on several critical matters, including the long-delayed one-off Sh2.6 billion honourarium and monthly pension payments owed to 11,919 former councillors, as well as the unsettled dues to retirees under the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme.
Additionally, the Senate Labour Committee was scheduled to deliberate on a petition regarding unremitted deductions and terminal dues owed to members of Maziwa Sacco. That session was to involve other key government officials, including Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, and Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya.
Nominated Senator Betty Syengo called for firm action against the Treasury CS, accusing him of being elusive and disrespectful to the plight of retirees. “It is unacceptable for the Cabinet Secretary to ignore multiple invitations to provide direction on such a sensitive matter,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Senator Miraj Abdullahi, who lamented that elderly Kenyans were repeatedly forced to appear before the Senate without receiving any resolution. “This matter has dragged on for too long. It is unjust to keep these senior citizens waiting indefinitely,” she said.
In March, Mr Mbadi appeared before the Senate plenary, where he defended his ministry’s position on the ex-councillors’ payments. He cited legal advice from the Attorney General’s office, stating that there was no legal basis for paying a Sh200,000 honourarium to former councillors who had served less than 20 years. He further argued that most former councillors were only entitled to sitting allowances, which were inconsistent across the country and not structured as formal salaries.
“I am not opposed to the payment of dues to former councillors. However, such payments must be made within the confines of the law. The taskforce report recommending the payments is not binding, and there is currently no legal framework to guide the process,” Mbadi told the House at the time.
However, Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi criticised the Treasury’s reluctance to act on a resolution passed by the Senate, accusing the ministry of disregarding parliamentary authority. “The councillors have no other avenue to air their grievances. The Senate passed a resolution, and it must be honoured regardless of the Attorney General’s opinion,” said Mr Murungi.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale went further, questioning whether the Attorney General had the power to override a Senate resolution. He accused the Treasury of frustrating a lawful directive that had been agreed upon by the entire House. “Mbadi is a seasoned legislator. He knows that Parliament does not work in vain. These councillors were promised by the President that they would be paid,” Khalwale said.
The Senate’s escalating frustration with the National Treasury underscores a growing tension between the Executive and Parliament over the treatment of senior citizens who dedicated years of service to the country. With thousands of retirees still waiting for their dues, all eyes are now on the 20th August session, which could determine whether justice is finally served, or further delayed.
