The national government has embarked on a two-week headcount exercise for pensioners in Marsabit County.
The state department for pensions under the National Treasury and Planning has been tasked with the responsibility of updating the personal data of pensioners and their dependents’ in the county over the period.
Marsabit Central Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Nyakwara said the objective of the exercise was to cleanse the pension payroll.
Officiating at the launch of the head count at the Huduma Centre in Marsabit town on Monday, Mr Nyakwara asked all retirees who receive monthly pension from the national government to present themselves without fail.
The DCC reminded the targeted that the exercise was mandatory and that those who will fail to present themselves for the headcount will be struck off the payroll.
“Pensioners, guardians and dependents who receive monthly pension from public pension schemes that are administered by the pensions department are required to avail themselves in person without failure,” he said.
The beneficiaries of the pension scheme who include retired military personnel, civil servants, judicial officers, teachers and parliamentarians are required to present themselves with original and copies of their national identity cards (ID) and ATM card.
Requirements for dependents and guardians include ID used to claim pension, birth certificates of the deceased pensioner’s children and the death certificate of the deceased pensioners.
Mr.Nyakwara added that the government wanted to instill more accountability in the sector besides sealing any loopholes that may exist in dispensing pay to pensioners.
By Sebastian Miriti
