KNUT Advocates Modification to Pensions Act, Seeks to Transfer Responsibilities From National Treasury to TSC
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) is advocating for a modification to the Pensions Act, seeking to transfer the responsibility of handling pensions from the National Treasury to the employer.
During a session with the National Assembly’s Education Committee, Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu presented the union’s plea to amend the law, emphasizing the need to alleviate the struggles faced by thousands of retired teachers pursuing their pensions.
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Addressing the MPs on Tuesday, Mr. Oyuu expressed the union’s dissatisfaction with the current practice of having the Treasury process pensions for teachers who served under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) throughout their careers.
Mr. Oyuu urged the MPs, stating, “It does not make sense for a teacher to work for 35 years and then later be told that his pension will be handled by the Treasury. We want the pension law to be amended so that the function is transferred to the TSC.”
Highlighting the challenges teachers encounter while awaiting their pensions, Mr. Oyuu underscored the bureaucratic red tape at the National Treasury, leading to some teachers passing away before receiving their entitlements.
Asserting that the TSC comprehends the teachers’ plight, Mr. Oyuu pledged to present the union’s proposals to the committee and called for lawmakers’ support in assisting teachers in securing their pensions after retirement.
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Additionally, Mr. Oyuu urged the legislators to revisit a bill sponsored by Mwingi South MP David Musila, passed in 2003, which advocated for the immediate payment of pensions to civil servants. He stressed the importance of keeping teachers on the payroll until their pensions are fully processed, referring to the Musila Bill.
Committee Chairman Julius Melly assured that the lawmakers would arrange another meeting with TSC officials to address the concerns raised. He stated, “We will meet with the TSC so that we can also hear their side of the story.”
Last year, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced a commitment to ensuring retired teachers receive their pensions within a maximum of six months. However, the situation remains unchanged. The TSC has consistently denied responsibility for delays, attributing them to the National Treasury.
As of last year, a staggering 23,487 teachers who retired between 1998 and 2003 had not received their pensions, even after two decades of leaving the service.
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The Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual for the Public Service 2015 stipulates that retirement applications should be submitted at least nine months before the retirement date, allowing for timely verification of claims.
KNUT Advocates Modification to Pensions Act, Seeks to Transfer Responsibilities From National Treasury to TSC