This archive report was first published on 25 July 2019.
On July 25, 2019, the Kenyan government announced a major breakthrough in clearing a long-standing pensions backlog of over 40,000 cases.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Prof. Margaret Kobia revealed that the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) would ensure that pensioners receive their gratuity within a month of their retirement.
Speaking at the Kenya School of Government, Prof. Kobia emphasized the importance of clear roles and supervision in ensuring the success of the initiative.
She attributed the backlog to lack of capacity and capability among staff, as well as institutional capacity within the pensions department.
Prof. Kobia urged public servants to perform their duties diligently and called on line supervisors to guide their staff towards better delivery.
She also asked the Public Service Commission to find a sustainable solution to reducing the public wage bill from 52% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 35%, freeing up funds for development expenditure.
Hon. Gaichuhie, CAS The National Treasury and Planning, explained that challenges in pension payment included slow speed of the pension system due to old servers, aged computer equipment, and obsolete software.
