This archive report was first published on 25 June 2021.
Civil Service Retirement Pension: A System of Exploitation and Neglect ¶
Receiving a civil service retirement pension in Kenya has become a daunting task, with many retirees facing a long and arduous process to access their rightful benefits. The system has been plagued by corruption, negligence, and exploitation, resulting in the deaths of many retirees due to financial instability and depression.
According to a 2019 audit by the Auditor General, the Treasury paid out Sh67.9 billion in pension to individuals who were not entitled to receive the cash, while others whose identities could not be verified received Sh1.6 billion. This scandal highlights the systemic issues within the pension department, which has been accused of being unethical, uncouth, and unreliable.
Teachers have been particularly hard hit by the pension system, with many facing mental health issues due to the prolonged wait for their benefits. The system's bias towards those who are willing to bribe their way through the process has created a culture of exploitation, where retirees are forced to pay exorbitant amounts of money to access their pensions.
As a result, only 60-70% of retirees survive the long wait, while others perish due to hunger, suicide, stroke, and other money-related issues. The pension department's Director, Michael Kagika, has been accused of being inconsiderate of the plight of retirees, with many feeling that he has failed to address the systemic issues within the department.
It is imperative that the pension department takes immediate action to address the corruption and negligence that has plagued the system for far too long. The lives of many retirees depend on it.
Warning to the Culprits: The pension department's actions have been likened to a pyramid scheme, where those at the top reap the benefits while those at the bottom suffer. It is time for the department to take responsibility for its actions and ensure that retirees receive their rightful benefits in a timely and transparent manner.
