Irony as trade unionist fights for Sh9m pension

Former Kenya County Government Workers Union Secretary General Joseph Muuo Nzoka. [Stephen Nzioka, Standard]

For over 30 years Joseph Muuo Nzoka, 86, was at the centre of labour disputes.

As the secretary general of the Kenya County Government Workers Union that covered Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Makueni and Kajiado, Nzoka played a key role in arbitrating differences between workers and their employers.

Nzoka pushed for better terms for workers.

But in retirement, Nzoka, now frail, is embroiled in a court battle over his retirement benefits from a union he diligently served.

He served his employer with a notice to retire in 2007, but the letter remained unanswered and he continued to serve until 2015 when secretary general, Roba Duba, wrote to the national treasurer, Michael Kariuki, to have Nzoka's gratuity calculated. It amounted to Sh9,008,429.

The agreement was that Nzoka was to be paid Sh308,429 and subsequently, Sh100,000 monthly until the gratuity was cleared.

According to court documents, payments stopped in 2020, with the trade unionist having received Sh1,957,769 only.

Unlike his heyday when he would be flanked by union officials during a crisis, a lonely Nzoka moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court, Milimani, four years ago to get his dues.

"Attending a court case touching on me had never lingered in my mind before. As a unionist I stood with workers during negotiations and at their worst moments. This has really drained me," said Nzoka at his home in Kithimani, Machakos.

The union has contested the amount claimed, saying Nzoka was supposed to be paid Sh2,200,000 for his 32 years of service, and had therefore been overpaid.

"The union had erred while computing the gratuity. The union has already overpaid Mzee Muuo since he was only entitled to Sh2, 200,000," said Tom Kang'ethe, the national treasurer, in court.

But the court on June 16 ruled in favour of Nzoka.