Pensions to be fast-tracked as 3,250 officers leave service

Hundreds of retired civil servants queue at the Huduma Center in Kisumu for a headcount on April 23, 2019, as part of Treasury's efforts to weed out ghost pensioners. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • To address frequent complaints, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced that it will implement performance tracking to reduce backlog and ensure pensioners get their dues as they leave.
  • The PSC also said an accountability framework will be developed for all actors in the chain, with HR directors responsible for the timely processing of claims.
  • Regarding the retirement of the 3,250 officers, PSC chair Stephen Kirogo said it was important to know the documents needed, whether they are all necessary in this age and what the Pensions Department looks at.
  • Mr Kirogo noted that the overall objective of the initiative is to ensure pensioners get paid as they exit active service so there is no break in their earnings.

The government has announced plans to fast-rack payment of retirees' pension as more than 3,250 officers exit the public service in the next one year.

To address frequent complaints, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced that it will implement performance tracking to reduce backlog and ensure pensioners get their dues as they leave.

The decision was reached during a meeting of the PSC and directors of the Pensions Department, Ifmis and the human resource offices in ministries, departments and agencies.

PSC chairman Stephen Kirogo presided over the meeting that took place on Thursday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

RESOLUTIONS

Mr Kirogo said the commission, in three previous meetings with the Pensions Department, sought to understand inefficiencies and the processing and payment of pension.

“Processing was found [to be] faulty at ministries, departments and state agencies and that is why this meeting was convened,” he said.

As such, the meeting resolved to develop an accountability framework for all actors in the chain, with HR directors responsible for the timely processing of claims.

They will be required to submit reports to the commission on a monthly basis, on matters including the number of claims forwarded to the pensions secretary and reasons for any processing delays.

“The pensions secretary will give [the PSC a report showing] the status of files submitted for payment, pending payments and claims processed and paid in the month,” said Mr Kirogo.

ALERTS

The Ifmis director will develop an alert system through which pensioners will receive messages with updates on their claims.

The PSC will respond to matters expeditiously and ensure the timely flow of information through the systems created.

Mr Kirogo also said the commission will continue to identify and address capacity gaps and training needs.

He warned that in handling future requests from ministries and state departments, the PAC will first determine whether pension reports are up to date.

CONTINUITY

Regarding the retirement of the 3,250 officers, Mr Kirogo said it was important to know the documents needed, whether they are all necessary in this age and what the Pensions Department looks at.

He added that of much concern was the backlog of unhandled cases and what the reasons were at the ministries and the department.

Mr Kirogo noted that the overall objective of the initiative is to ensure pensioners get paid as they exit active service so there is no break in their earnings.

“There has to be continuity in earnings because [they are entitled to the pension],” said Mr Kirogo.

He asserted that performance tracking will ensure ministries and the Pensions Department adhere to agreed timelines.

“In case of significant backlog, the PSC will undertake a rapid results initiative,” he said.