By EDWIN MUTAI,
MPs want workers and employers to be given absolute control over management of the NSSF.
In proposed amendments to the National Social
Security Fund (Amendment) Bill 2013, the legislators opposed the powers
granted to Cabinet secretary responsible for Labour and Social welfare
to appoint all the 15 members of the Board of Trustees.
Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang pointed out that section
6(2) of the Bill should be amended to remove the Cabinet secretary from
appointing the Managing Trustee and Board members of the NSSF.
He was supported by Opiyo Wandai (Ugunja), George
Muchai (Kabete), Gladys Wanga (Homabay) and Millie Odhiambo said the
cabinet secretary had been given unchecked powers to appoint the board, a
thing they said will mess up the fund further.
The MPs argued that employers and workers
organisations should be given the power to nominate representatives to
the board of NSSF.
“The board of NSSF will comprise no less than 15
people appointed by the cabinet secretary. NSSF is fund for workers and
employers. We have had history with whose board was handpicked by
ministers,” said Mr Kajwang.
He said unless the Bill is amended the cabinet
secretary will have a free hand to appoint persons with no relationships
with employers and employees.
“How will their interest be safeguarded? We should
not throw huge amount of money belonging to workers and employers to
the dogs. This will kill employers and workers unions,” he said
threatening to initiate amendments.
Mr Wandai said one of biggest drawbacks to Kenyans
has been lack of strong social security system owing to the lack of
political will by successive regimes to empower people economically.
“NSSF has been turned into cash cow by the
privileged ruling class. NSSF has failed in its primary mandate to
protect contribution of its members.
The fund has failed to meet its mandate because of
corruption by those in power who handpicked managing trustee and
compromised the board of managing trustees,” Wandai added.
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