Obey order on new rates, NSSF warned

NSSF managing trustee Richard Langat. Lawyers for KPAWU said they had received an email from Mr Langat directing staff to proceed with the new NSSF deductions in spite of a court order. They warned that the deductions would be against orders issued by the Industrial Court in Nakuru. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Lawyers for the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) wrote to NSSF, warning that the deductions would be against orders issued by the Industrial Court in Nakuru.
  • Mr Muli said they had obtained an email from the fund’s managing trustee Richard Langat directing staff to proceed with the new deductions in spite of the court order.
  • The letter was copied to KPAWU secretary-general Francis Atwoli who is also the Cotu boss.

A workers’ union has warned National Social Security Fund against collecting new rates until a final decision is reached by the court Wednesday.

Lawyers for the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) wrote to NSSF, warning that the deductions would be against orders issued by the Industrial Court in Nakuru.

The union, through lawyer Mutua Muli, said it would move to court to block any deductions and have the NSSF cited for contempt, if the new rates are effected.

Mr Muli said they had obtained an email from the fund’s managing trustee Richard Langat directing staff to proceed with the new deductions in spite of the court order.

Wrong interpretation

“We would like to draw your attention to the fact that courts do not issue orders in vain and your interpretation of the said order is misleading, blatantly wrong and erroneous... we are going to cite you for contempt and hold you to account,” he said in a letter addressed to Mr Langat.

He said the NSSF boss was duly served by the court order which is binding.

“This is informed by the fact that the said court order was duly served upon you with a penal notice attached and any contravention of it will invite contempt proceedings,” he warned.

The letter was copied to KPAWU secretary-general Francis Atwoli who is also the Cotu boss.

Mr Muli said the court order was clear that the pension fund should not effect the new deductions.