The Senate has assured bed-ridden former Kenya Defence Forces soldier Isaiah Ochanda that he will get justice and ensure disability pension owed to him is paid.
The former army man on Tuesday testified before the Senate’s Security Committee from his hospital bed in an emotional appeal for justice.
He said justice has remained elusive despite him pursuing his pension for 35 years now.
"I sustained spinal cord injuries in 1987 leaving me bedridden and in need of medical care," Ochanda told the lawmakers.
Visits to the Attorney General’s office, the Commission on Administrative Justice, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights among other government offices did not bear any fruits, he said.
Ochanda said the Ministry of Defence relieved him of his duties in 1995 and sent him on terminal leave pending retirement.
A day before he was due for retirement, he went for his remaining dues but “they informed me that they would only provide me with a return ticket”.
Ochanda told the Senate Security Committee that he has pursued the monies since then to no avail despite a 2011 court ruling that went in his favour.
In a statement, the Committee assured the former soldier that they would ensure all his dues were paid in full.
“We shall ensure justice is delivered to you,” the Committee meeting chaired by Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku said.
Other members present during the session were senators Karen Nyamu, George Mbugua and Isiolo’s Fatuma Dullo.
Senator Lenku said Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale will be summoned to appear before the committee to explain why Ochanda is yet to be paid his pension dues.
According to the Kenya Defence Forces (Pensions and Gratuities) Regulations 2021, officers are upon retirement entitled to compulsory pension after attaining the specified age of his or her rank as laid down in terms and conditions of service.
“And being eligible by length of service to a pension in accordance to these Regulations.”
The regulations also state that in the event of a permanent disablement of a retired officer or discharged service member, the pensions committee shall award, in addition to the gratuity or pension, a pension based on the degree of disability.
“Disability pension shall be payable to an officer or a service member who qualifies for the award of disability pension notwithstanding that he or she has not qualified for the award of pension,” the regulations further state.
