- Nashive M. Syeunda questions delays in pension payments and the silence surrounding affected retired teachers.
- He argues retirees depend on their monthly pensions for food, housing and other essential family responsibilities.
- The writer calls on government, MPs and pensioners themselves to demand greater accountability and timely payments.
It is more than two weeks after the month of July ended. All who get money from the government have earned their due; except pensioners.
Probably I might not talk about other departments, but I am sure those who were teachers have not got their pension, if their bankers are to be believed. The banks, like Standard Chartered, say they can only pay out money if they receive the same from the Pensions Department. Thus, I will base my argument on the basis that money has not been received by banks.
I am told some banks have paid. I am sure of Mwalimu Co-op and Equity Bank. Some discreet enquiries reveal that these pay retirees on humanitarian grounds; they know that in the fullness of time, the money will reach them; so why let these old ones, who have been with them all their working years, suffer when someone at the Pensions Department dillydallies?
Well, what do we know? The Pensions Department horizon is quiet like water in a pot, as we say back home. They are busy at their desks, ostensibly doing something. One preacher told us that whatever you do, God will greatly bless it; if you do nothing, He will bless it till it becomes a lot of nothing. That’s what the Pensions Department is doing.
They are not talking; yet they have overstayed with pensioners’ money. Nobody is issuing any statement. They leave their houses, going to ‘work’. In the evening, they go back with shopping, eat with their families, sleep in their own houses, or in those for which they have paid rent, and sigh with satisfaction: a satisfying ‘working’ day done!
When pensioners are left waiting
I am talking here of a department with highly trained manpower, using powerful modern machines, bought with our money. I am talking of a department with some highly paid officers in full charge; fellows supposed to be reeking with efficiency and know-how. People who have signed with the government performance contracts saying they will deliver on their mandate. People who I presume have human hearts—of flesh and blood.
People who ought to know that as they eat, pensioners are not eating. As they sleep, pensioners are not sleeping. As they pay rent, pensioners are being harassed for non-payment. As they course about with their families, a pensioner is being mocked and harassed by a spouse for being unable to provide for the family. Hungry children are looking at a pensioner parent, wondering what is going on.
Has vagary been like this? Has callousness? Insensitivity? How about inefficiency?
Granted: the department might think pensioners can do nothing; after all, they have no union to make noise for them. Their members of Parliament will also just stay quiet, as they are wont to. These old men and women are scattered here and there, and they rarely meet, except in the bar (after we pay them) or in a church, where they are exhorted to be peaceful; to trust and obey Authority.
Of course, pensioners have no union; and yes, they are scattered hither and thither. Yet one hopes that those, and other cruel reasons, are not good enough to make the Pensions Department refuse to pay out pensions, and just keep quiet as if nothing has happened.
As some CS said (I am about to quote a powerhouse; big!) the money does not belong to their what-he-did-say. (Amongst my people, that is the ultimate insult, and so I can’t easily bring myself to utter it. I will be derided as an ill-mannered fellow. I fear, Dawale!)
Pensions Department, what is going on?
The issue is simple: Pensions Department, what is going on?
Granted; you might have a problem. But what is easier than saying what it is? Even if you think it is not your duty, what does common sense say? Is it not a fact that part of your work is to ensure pensioners get their due as scheduled? So, if they don’t get it, isn’t it incumbent on you to give reasons why? Should you just have these old ones hold their breath and hope your pleasure lasts? Hello? Hallo?
Will you kindly appreciate that pensioners are your customers, and their satisfaction should be viewed as your hallmark; your own satisfaction? Do you know that these people sacrificed their whole working life for this country, and it is a national imperative, and a statutory obligation, that they get their pension minus the luxury of anybody’s terms and conditions?
Indeed, the National Treasury describes the Pensions Department’s mandate as administering and paying pensions and other retirement benefits to eligible public officers and dependants. Its stated mission includes ensuring the “timely, efficient and effective” payment of benefits.
A word to government, MPs and pensioners
I have some free pieces of advice to various categories of interested parties.
To the government: ensure you have the right people running public affairs. People with the right work ethic; not people who will sleep on the job. If at all they sleep, punitive measures should be preferred against them.
To our MPs: ensure public affairs are well-run. People who can subject voters to such a shabby situation must be indicted. Pensioners are a very important group of people in this country. They must be accorded the recognition that is their due.
To pensioners: find a voice. If it is a strong union, form it; and now is as good a time as any. See how you have been neglected; thrown under the bus. Thrown to the dogs. Have a lobby. FIND A VOICE!
READ ALSO: Nakuru Education Director urges parents to strengthen discipline ahead of national exams
To the Pensions Department: be just. Perform your duty. Earn your keep. PAY PENSIONERS.
By Nashive M. Syeunda
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
