Teachers Service Commission gets more time to handle retirees' case

Kenya: Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni has been given more time by the Nakuru High Court to process the payment of pension for a group of retired teachers.

TSC lawyer Cavin Anyuor told Resident Judge Anyara Emukule that an agreement was reached after a meeting between relevant parties and the National Assembly Committee on Education held in Nairobi on Wednesday.

While seeking extension of orders, Mr Anyour said TSC representatives, parliamentary committee and six relevant Government agencies confirmed there is Sh16.7 billion for the retirees.

Anyuor also told Emukule that the team will forward a report to the National Assembly for further direction. This is the fourth time the court is extending the suspension of the order.

Justice Emukule has noted that the Government had no escape over the debt but to pay the retirees, saying there are succession laws which will ensure their dependants claim the money.

The retirees’ lawyer Dominic Kimata confirmed participation in the meeting and welcomed the extension of Lengoiboni’s conviction until January 19, next year, when the court will be informed on the progress.

The court has been told that compliance over the standoff involves collaboration with many State organs, including the National Assembly, National Treasury, Controller of Budget, Auditor General, Attorney General, Director of Pensions, TSC and Education Cabinet minister.

Emukule issued orders on May 16 directing the commission boss to pay the retired teachers their salary arrears and pension of Sh3.34 billion or risk imprisonment of six months for contempt of court.

The judge had ordered outgoing Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to arrest and jail Lengoiboni at the Kamiti Maximum Prison if he fails to release the money within three months.