KRA retirees demand board sacking

PHOTO | FILE Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme board chairperson Ms Beryl Odinga. 

By NATION CORRESPONDENT

Some of the more than 9,000 retired railway workers have demanded that recommendations of an audit report on the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme be implemented immediately.

The report, by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), says the scheme is on the brink of collapse and recommends that the board of trustees be sacked and an interim administrator appointed.

“The audit report reveals glaring irregularities,” the pensioners said on Thursday.

The pensioners, who called at the Nation offices in Nakuru Town, led by Mr Charles Ogolla, Mr Gilbert Nyambengi and Mr Richard Ndende Mbanda, demanded immediate action by the government.

“We are in our twilight years and the little pension we are getting from the scheme is now under threat.

This is our only source of survival and we urge the government to speedily take action,” Mr Ogolla said.

The audit report says there was gross misconduct and conflict of interest by a majority of the nine-member board chaired by Ms Beryl Odinga.

Other board members are Kenya Railways chief executive Nduva Muli, Dr Mtana Lewa, Mr Ken Wahome, Mr Silas Gitari, Mr Lazarus Keizi, Mr Moses Njeka, Ms Priscilla Mukuria and Mr Daniel Obop.

The pensioners said though the board had sold some properties, it had failed to settle pension arrears dating back to 2005. (READ: Kenya Railway to sell assets to pay pensioners dues)

Last year, Ms Odinga toured the 47 counties assuring pensioners that the arrears would be paid.

“Our last hope lies with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and we have appealed to him to end our misery,” Mr Nyambengi said.

Among other recommendations, the report says a corporate trustee must take over from the interim administration for at least three years.

It also says the office used by the chairperson be rented out because it is not part of the terms of service.

Signatories to the accounts should be updated with immediate effect and a chief executive appointed, the report further recommends.

It also says the board must be surcharged for any irregular payment to any trustee.

The report also recommends that the contracts of the public relations and security firms be terminated immediately.

Trustees should undertake to pay all pension arrears, the report also recommends.