Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has come under scrutiny after failing to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, which had summoned him to discuss delayed pensions for Kenya Railways retirees and address the welfare of former councillors.
Mbadi communicated to the Senate committee via a letter, stating he was attending a Cabinet meeting and could not appear. However, the explanation did not sit well with the committee members, who expressed dissatisfaction and insisted on his physical appearance. The committee has now directed the CS to appear on August 4 to provide the required updates.
Committee Chair Julius Murgor said the new date was set to ensure that the CS does not miss another session. “We expect him to prioritise this matter. Failure to honour this second summons will lead to consequences as outlined in the Standing Orders,” Murgor stated.
Mbadi had been scheduled to respond to a petition filed by former councillors, which recommended a one-off token of Ksh 200,000 for each former civic leader in recognition of their service to the country. In addition, he was expected to provide clarity on whether the government would consider enrolling the former councillors and their spouses in the Social Health Authority scheme to facilitate access to healthcare services within county health facilities.
The senators expressed concern over what they perceived as a dismissive attitude from the CS, especially given his past advocacy for prompt payment of pensioners. “It is ironic that someone who once championed for the rights of retirees is now unavailable when it matters most,” one senator remarked.
The committee stressed that it is imperative for Mbadi to appear in person and offer comprehensive responses, particularly given the increasing number of grievances from retirees and former public servants struggling to access basic entitlements.
With the August 4 appearance now confirmed, the Senate committee has made it clear that any further failure to honour the summons could result in punitive measures, including possible contempt proceedings.
