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By Isabella Maua
The retiree welfare team of Mt. Elgon has called upon the government to increase their pension to at least 30,000 Kenya Shillings to cope with the soaring economic times.
Speaking during the official launch of the Retirees Benefit and Claims Welfare Association of Kenya, Mt. Elgon branch, Dr. Kiano Serut, chairperson of the association, encouraged retirees to join the team.
“Our association’s objective is to enable our members to live comfortably after their retirement, and for those who have not yet received their pension, we shall aid in following up on the process within reasonable timelines,” said Dr. Serut.
Eunice Kimtai is a retired teacher who exited service in 2007 and narrated how she had to strenuously follow up for more than two years for her gratitude and pension.
“It was a daunting task to even get my gratitude pay after retirement, and in the process of pursuit, I developed hypertension,” she divulged.
Further adding: “Joining this association is a necessity for any retiree since it has come in handy to address our issues.”
Benjamin Chesire, a retired prison officer, also decried the peanut payment most of them get as pensions, calling upon the government to be considerate of the senior citizens who have long felt abandoned.
“It’s dismaying that some of us are still receiving 2,500 Kenya shillings as pension with these tough economic times and with the dependents we have,” bemoaned Chesire.
REBECLWA-K, Mt. Elgon branch was formed in 2018, but due to financial constraints, it couldn’t be registered until June 2023.
The association is also set up to aid its members with health insurance funds and in bereavement.