By Gerald Mukembu
A group of former Counsellors has petitioned President William Ruto to intervene in their quest for Sh2.6 billion in gratuity, which they claim is long overdue following a 2016 agreement with the government.
Led by Stephen Kaberia, the Chair of the Meru Counsellors Forum, the group met with Meru Senator and Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi to deliver a petition urging the Treasury to settle the outstanding amount. The Counsellors claim that despite a Task Force recommendation to pay them, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“We have written a petition to the clerk of the Senate, pleading with the government to immediately pay us our gratuity. Most of us are languishing in poverty, and it’s unacceptable that our contributions to the country’s development have been overlooked,” Kaberia said.
Senator Kathuri Murungi, who received the petition, urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to recognize the value of the aging Counsellors.
“These leaders have laid the foundation for the current County headquarters and sub-county building offices. They have also established Day Secondary schools and made significant contributions to Kenya’s democracy,” she said.
The Counsellors are seeking a total of Sh2.6 billion, which works out to approximately Sh900,000 per individual.
In 2018, the Senate authorized a formula for paying off their gratuity, but the money has never been budgeted, despite recommendations to include it in the 2022/2023 budget.
“Treasury CS John Mbadi must take responsibility for this outstanding debt and provide a clear timeline for payment,” Senator Murungi said. “We need to honor these Counsellors for their service to our country, and their blessings are essential to our growth.”
The former Counsellors have shared their experiences of being left to fend for themselves despite their significant contributions to the country.
“We have been left to struggle financially, and some of us are even bedridden due to the challenges we’re facing,” said John Gikunda, the Secretary General of the former Counsellors.
This petition comes at a time when the government is expected to prioritize the welfare of its retirees and recognize their contributions to the country’s development.
