Former Freedom Fighters And Their Descendents Caucus Welcome The Initiative Saying The Move Is Drawing Their Compensation Nearer After Waiting For Decades
By MKT Reporter
Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel, as far as compensation of former freedom fighters is concerned.
This is after the National Assembly yesterday indicated that officials who the former freedom fighters believe hold the key to their compensation would be vetted and thus expected to assume office soon.
The National Assembly Clerk, S. Njoroge published in the dailies the names of the Public Benefits Organization (PBO) tribunal chairperson and four members.
The five are expected to be vetted by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on June 13.
The chairperson is Eunice Arwa with members being Christabel Eboso, Elizabeth Mulwa, Leonard Kinyulusi and Mohamed Noor.
The publication of their names comes put more than seven months after the Judiciary closed period for the positions’ application on October 14 last year.
The call for application was made by the Judiciary following a petition by an NGO that questioned the delay as the law establishing the PBO was passed and accented by former President, the late Mwai Kibaki in 2013.
The NGO, Jeremiah Mugi Foundation had written to the Speaker of the Senate threatening to petition the matter before the International Court of Arbitration if action was not taken.
The foundation, through its chairman, James Njuguna Mahuria had written the letter on behalf of more than 50,000 members of Mau Mau War Veterans Association and Mau Mau Children Post Colonial Elites.
In the letter, the former freedom fighters averred that trillions of shillings were being held due to lack of officials to handle the matter.
However, sources said the delay was occassioned by lack of funds to support the team. However, with the pending vetting, their funds will be provided in the coming financial year.
Yesterday Mahuria welcomed the move saying they hoped the issue of compensation would be solved once and for all.
According to the act, the incoming team is expected to carry out its mandate which include hearing and determining complaints arising out of ant breach of the act.
Other mandate is hearing any matter or appeal made to it, pursuant to the provisions of the act and any other duty that may be conferred upon it by the act or any other written law.
John Kamau