The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on Monday issued a warning to Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya and his National Treasury counterpart John Mbadi for failing to honour the committee meeting concerning the drawn-out fight for securing Ksh204 million in unpaid dues for retired Kenya Creameries Cooperation (KCC) employees.
They called out the two CSs for the “grossly casual” way they were dealing with the serious matter that has been drawn out for over three decades, now providing fresh obstacles as the elderly petitioners fight for their hard-earned dues.
Members of the committee warned that they would be taking serious measures should the two cabinet secretaries fail to show up for another meeting and discuss the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Senator Miraj Abdullahi proposed that they be held financially responsible and cover all costs incurred by the petitioners during their travels only to end up disappointed saying, "These individuals have shown up at great personal cost; it’s time we make sure their expenses are covered by those responsible for these delays.”
More members of the senate committee however wanted more stringent repercussions for the two like Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi who proposed that after a final invitation of the two, they be issued with summons and ultimately get arrested if they missed the summons.
She also recommended that they both be slapped with monetary fines of up to Ksh500,000 should they keep missing the summons.
CS Mbadi not only failed to appear for the meeting but also recommended via a letter that the petition be dismissed. He also said that the Government is under no obligation to settle terminal benefits and Sacco dues that KCC deducted but never remitted.
As for CS Oparanya, he also failed to appear for the meeting but sent his Principal Secretary for Cooperatives Patrick Kilemi instead.
The committee vice chair, Senator George Mbugua, termed this blatant disregard for the process a disservice to the aging petitioners and promised to fight for them to the very end no matter how long it takes.
“Even if it takes two years to see this through, we will not relent until justice is served. These elderly petitioners dedicated their lives to service; it’s unimaginable that CS Mbadi would recommend dismissing their plea without due consideration,” Mbugua stated.
This promise was echoed by other members of the committee present including senators; Crystal Asige and Mohammed Faki, representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, and New KCC Company Secretary Irene Mbito.
