Kenya Railways MD Mainga put to task over failure to pay retirees
By Mercy Mwai, April 2, 2025Lawmakers have summoned Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) Managing Director Philip Mainga to explain why KR has failed to pay 270 retirees Sh21.9 million for the last 19 years.
The MPs have also directed Transport PS Mohamed Daghar to appear before them alongside Mainga to explain the measures taken to ensure the retirees have been paid.
The MPs who sit in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who were scrutinising the Auditor General’s Nancy Gathungu’s report for the financial year 2022/23 said it is unacceptable that retirees are yet to be paid their monies yet they worked for KRC for many years.
They regretted that such delay is the main reason why some of the retirees are sinking into depression and others dying poor as they have no resources to take care of themselves.
Their sentiments came after Gathungu flagged the Sh21.9 million for Kenya Railways retirees benefit that has been lying in the State Department’s account at the Central Bank of Kenya for several years.
The amount the report says was not supported by a comprehensive list of the retirees and or beneficiaries showing amounts due to them.
Further, the State Department did not explain reasons why the role of paying Kenya Railway retirees was transferred to them.
And yesterday, during a meeting with Daghar, the MPs led by Tindi Mwale (Butere) as well as Marrianne Kitany (Aldai), Niasula Lesuuda (Samburu West), Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Edwin Mugo (Mathioya), Amina Udgoon (Garissa Woman Representative) told him to start paying some of the retirees who they have verified.
“PS, 2006 is such a long time, don’t you think that some of these people may have gone to heaven… We want you to come with the MD KRC as well as other staff members who are aware of this matter.”Mwale said.
He added: “PS even as you appear here with the MD KRC please come with some commitments to prove that you have started paying some of them. From 2006 you have not paid them, this is not in order.
Kitany said it is painful to learn that retirees are languishing in poverty because they have not been paid their money yet they worked well.
She said: “The response by the PS is very casual. He needs to tell us why the state department held on to this money and never paid the retirees.”
She added: “PS next time come with the MD because whatever is happening is wrong. These retirees need to be paid.”
Otiende sought to know why the state department had requested for fresh vetting of the officers, yet they worked for Kenya Railways and were on their payroll.
He said: “PS you have said that some of the retirees lacked documents such as bank accounts. Did you sensitize them to know that the documents are needed?”
Oundo sought to know why the state department has not been able to pay the retirees yet all their details are with KRC which they have been working for.
He said: “KRC is a very organized institution. You cannot tell me that you do not have the details of these retirees. PS since 2006 it is clear that you have not done enough even reaching out to KRC to get the details. Does this matter not break your heart.”