The retirees, who are enduring significant financial hardship due to the non-payment, have raised concerns that the delay constitutes inhumane treatment, in violation of Article 25 of the Constitution of Kenya. An appeal has been made to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the misappropriation of the funds
The Kisumu County Assembly Clerk, Owen Ojuok, along with the Kisumu Governor and key finance officials, is facing mounting scrutiny after funds intended to compensate 14 retirees from the defunct local authority were allegedly redirected. The retirees, who retired in 2007, have been waiting for their payments, which were approved by the Kisumu County Assembly.
On May 12, 2024, Judge Jacob Gakeri of the Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled that the Kisumu County Assembly Clerk and the County Government must release Kshs. 16 million, which had been allocated for the retirees’ compensation. This sum had been authorised by the County Assembly but has yet to be disbursed.
The retirees, who are enduring significant financial hardship due to the non-payment, have raised concerns that the delay constitutes inhumane treatment, in violation of Article 25 of the Constitution of Kenya. An appeal has been made to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the misappropriation of the funds.
The retirees, including Rose Oonje Obiero, Jospeph Adundo Dianga, and John Onyinyo, claim they are living in poverty due to the misdirection of funds intended for their payment. They are seeking Kshs. 18.5 million, plus interest, dating back to their retirement in June 2007.
Despite the Kisumu County Assembly Committee on Labour and Social Welfare advising that the funds be included in the supplementary budget, the money has not been paid out. The retirees have filed a motion for the court to compel the County’s finance officials to release the Kshs. 16 million allocated in the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
The delay has sparked questions regarding the whereabouts of the funds and whether they have been misappropriated or concealed. The court’s ruling has mandated that the Kshs. 16 million be paid to the retirees as originally planned.
