President Ruto has refused to assent to the Pensions Amendment Bill that sought to provide set timelines for pension payments upon retirement of a public officer.
According to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, the President had reservations on two clauses presented to amend the Pensions Act (Cap 189).
In his submission, President William Ruto argued that Clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill may lead to inconsistencies with existing laws and create ambiguities in the administration of pensions.
President Ruto refuses to assent to the Pensions Amendment Bill. Photo: Courtesy.
Clause 2 proposes granting the Cabinet Secretary for Finance powers to make regulations on pensions, which he noted would conflict with Section 3(2) of the Pensions Act, which vests such powers in the President.
On the other hand, Clause 3 sought to provide clarity on when a pension becomes due, something that was flagged for its lack of precision.
Claiming that the clause does not specify whether the due date should be the date of retirement or the date of application for pension payment.
The Head of State also pointed out that the objectives of the Bill could be achieved administratively through ongoing reforms.
Following Ruto’s decision, the memorandum was returned to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, which is expected to examine the President’s reservations and report back to the House within 21 days.
