Former councillors have split into two factions ahead of the expected payout of gratuities they have begged for and demanded for years.
Some fear they'll be swindled, forced to join a Sacco and their registration ID details stolen. This would enable thieves to access their lump sum payout and monthly stipend.
Most former councillors are languishing in poverty as they never earned salaries but only received allowances before devolution. There's no law on how to handle retirement benefits.
But payday is coming, probably at a conference.
The Senate passed the Councillors’ Bill 2018 requiring former civic leaders who served between 1963 and 2013 to be paid Sh1.5 million in one payout and a Sh30,000 monthly stipend.
Yet former Kakamega councillors distanced themselves on Monday from the conference for all past civic leaders, calling it "fishy".
It is to be held Thursday in Nairobi and is convened by the Kenya Former Councillors Association (Kefoca).
Speaking during a meeting at Kakamega social hall, officials of the Kenya Former Councillors Forum said they would not attend. They accused Kefoca of plotting to access their gratuities after it became clear that they will finally receive retirement benefits.
The officials are Modekai Nandwa (chairman), Meshack Luchendo (secretary), Daniel Tuvei (treasurer) and Henry Shikami (organising secretary).
In a letter dated September 18, Kefoca secretary general Stephen Kaberia asked Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to facilitate the four to attend the conference.
But the officials threatened to sue Kaberia for "attempting to extort from the governor by using their names without their consent".
“We will sue the Kefoca officials for using our names without our consent. We are not members of the association. They know that councillors are about to be paid and are now busy looking for ways to access the money by floating the idea of joining a Sacco,” Nandwa said.
“We know they have been unable to obtain details of real former councillors and want to use the purported conference to get the details through registration, so they can use the same to justify why councillors’ money should go to them.”
Luchendo said the former reps should be paid their money directly. He said the proposal for the formation of a Sacco for former civic leaders is a ploy to swindle them out of their gratuity.
But Kaberia on Tuesday said Kefoca is a duly registered organisation and it will not force former councillors to become members.
“Yes, we have a meeting on Thursday. There are two agenda items — to launch our association and unify the country in line with the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Those who don’t want to be members can stay home,” he told the Star on the phone.
Edited by R.Wamochie
