Over 100 years old pensioners from Machakos still benefiting from the government

Machakos pensioners aged over 100 years, who served the country with diligence and retired with dignity have embraced technology and are set to receive pension digitally from the State Department of Pensions under the National Treasury and Economic Planning.

A number of the pensioners left service more than 50 years after retiring – long before digital technology became a way of life.

Their journey depicts their hard work and dedication to the public service and thereafter enjoying the proceeds of pension that has sustained them through the years and is also an assurance by the government of how it’s dedicated in taking care of the aged in society.

The pensions department visited Kioko Ndolo 104-year-old in Tala Kangundo Sub-County of Machakos to celebrate him as one of its oldest pensioners who retired honourably from the prisons service in 1972 in Malindi and has been receiving pension for 53 years.

He was also celebrated for being among the first pensioners to embrace modernisation by registering on the Pension Self-Service Portal that provides better access to personal pension records, enables tackling of payment and doesn’t require personal visits to pension offices, proving that even in old age one can adapt to change.

Kioko, who has 15 children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren appreciates the government in its responsibility to old pensioners who have been receiving pension for more years than when they had worked in government.

He adds that the money has helped take care of his family’s needs, medicine and warm clothing, which reflects the government’s commitment in enhancing social security and financial stability for retired civil servants.

 His counterpart Joel Mbuva 102-year-old from Kivaani in Kangundo, has also been receiving his pension for over 50 years, was also celebrated for adapting to technology and travelling to the headquarters in December to ensure his self-service registration is valid.

Mbuva who has eight children, was also a dedicated prison officer for 30 years before he retired in 1972, says he has been receiving his pension on time for 53 years and has bought land and invested in livestock farming that has sustained him over the years.

According to Michael Kagika, the Director of Pensions at the National Treasury who was present during the celebrations at Kivaani Kangundo, the department is on a mission to celebrate valued pensioners in recognition of their distinguished service and dedication to the country

Kagika added that they are also celebrating the pensioners for their proactive engagement in adapting to the pensioner self-registration portal where 80 per cent of pensioners have registered since it was launched it in late December 2024 and the deadline being February 28, 2025.

He disclosed that similar engagements with pensioners will happen all over the country and the Self Registration Portal is to prepare for a digital transformation to migrate to a new system that will enhance efficiency, accessibility and reliability of pension’s management.

“We plan to have such celebrations and interact with other pensioners around the country as the Self Registration Portal deadline draws near on the 28th February,” said Kagika.

This development comes in after PS National Treasury Chris Kiptoo last year during the launch of the Self Registration Portal, ordered all pensioners to register by the February 28, 2025 or risk losing their pension money.

“We are giving all pensioners time to complete their registration by February 28, 2025, the deadline is not negotiable and it will serve as a vital step to organise and streamline pension administration,” said Kiptoo.

The system is accessed through e-Citizen portal and Huduma Centres shall offer assisted services in registration.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Anne Kangero