Senators summon Treasury CS Mbadi over delayed pensions, unremitted benefits

Senators have summoned Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi over delayed pension payments and unremitted benefits, arguing that the delay is politically insensitive and has subjected affected retirees and families to prolonged suffering.

The Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare now wants the CS to appear in person on August 4 after what it termed as persistent snubs and excuses from Treasury officials.

The Committee, sitting on Tuesday, sent away Treasury Principal Secretary Cyrell Wagunda Odede, insisting only the Cabinet Secretary could provide authoritative answers to the grievances raised in multiple petitions.

Committee Chairperson Julius Murgor said the Treasury’s consistent failure to respond directly to the Senate was undermining Parliament and prolonging injustices.

“We now understand that this will continue to drag because decisions are made at the Cabinet level. We would like to have the CS appear so that these matters can be concluded. Otherwise, the longer it drags, the more we are seen not to be performers,” he said.

Among the issues raised were unpaid pensions for former Kenya Railways and KEMRI staff, non-remitted death and disability benefits for public servants and the delayed one-off honourarium for ex-councillors.

Kajiado Senator Samuel Seki Kanar questioned the logic of proceeding without the CS.

“If the CS is not here, then the petition will not be met. I don’t know the reason why we should keep the PS. Let the CS appear with the PS and deal with the matter conclusively,” he said.

Vice Chairperson and Nominated Senator Crystal Asige also echoed the frustrations of the committee.

“We have called upon the CS for many matters under his mandate, and he keeps failing to show up. Chair, this issue has dragged on for years. We need strong decisions and accountability,” she said.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua criticised Mbadi for repeatedly skipping scheduled appearances before the Senate, despite his extensive parliamentary background. Wambua accused the CS of abandoning the very principles he once championed as a legislator.

“He understands Parliament better than some of us. He even pushed for legislation to protect retirees. But now that he’s in the Executive, he’s running away from his own vision. Every time he’s required to appear, he claims to be attending Cabinet,” Wambua said.

“Appearing before Parliament is a constitutional requirement, not a favour. If the committee has decided on a date, the CS must honour it. Let us not weaken the authority of this House by offering him options.”

Although the committee allowed petitioners to issue brief statements, it insisted that no substantive discussion would continue in the absence of the CS.

“We don’t want to waste the time of retirees who travelled to be here. Let us meet the CS on Monday, August 4, so we avoid the Tuesday Cabinet excuse,” Murgor said.

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• unremitted benefits

The senators expressed concern that the continuous delays were not only administrative but also disrespectful to vulnerable groups who had waited for years for their rightful dues.

Over the past two years, letters from the committee, especially concerning Kenya Railways and KEMRI retirees, have gone unanswered or received postponement requests from Treasury.

Members warned that should the CS fail to appear on the new date, the committee would explore further parliamentary action to compel compliance.