Ex-civic leaders from Nyanza have appealed to President William Ruto to help fast-track payments for the sendoff packages of Sh 1.5 million each and a monthly pension of Sh30,000.
They said the packages and pensions have not been paid for the last 12 years.
The retired civic leaders contributed immensely to the country and deserve to be given their sendoff packages and pensions.
Led by former councillors chairman Joseph Ogut, the group said the Cabinet approved that former councillors in the defunct local governments be paid Sh1.5 million as a sendoff package, and Sh30,000 monthly pension.
“We want the government to look into our welfare. We are suffering despite working tirelessly with no pay,” he said.
He said MCAs who took over from the civic leaders were earning well when they were getting peanuts.
Ogut questioned why they have been neglected by the government while other retired civil servants were given sendoff packages and earning pensions.
Former councillor from South Nyakach, Kisumu Benson Ogutu said councillors were promised a sendoff package and pension.
“This has never been realised to date. In the last government, we requested for the same and the matter was debated in the senate and agreement was reached that we get paid the package and pension which was never realised,” he said.
In the last local government, Ogutu said the matter was also taken to parliament and was debated upon thereafter it was taken to cabinet as a policy paper where it was agreed that the councillor's package be included in the budget.
“It was introduced in the budget and it was agreed that we get the payment before the last general elections. Now that Ruto’s government is given priority,” he said.
Ogutu said they are supporting Ruto's government and are ready to work with him for the realization of his development agenda.
“We are ready to work with him in collaboration with other Kenyans and look forward to giving support as well as being given support,” he said.
He added:
“The councillors are old people and should be taken care of for them to meet their numerous demands and responsibilities.”
On demonstration, he said the Kenyan problem can only be solved at the table where people sit, talk and agree, and not through street protests.
“It is true when the economy of a country is crippled, everybody will cry. People are talking of unga today. It did not only go up today but even during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime,” he said.
He believed that running on the streets will not create job opportunities for their sons and daughters.
“True Luos and Kenyans let us reason up. We need to sit down with the government and come up with a policy document that will ensure our youths are absorbed in the government,’ Ogutu said.
