State House chief Katoo Ole Metito has denied claims that his office delayed pension payments to former Vice President Moody Awori. Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Ole Metito blamed the Treasury for not responding to his requests. Payments to the widow of the late Vice President George Saitoti have also been delayed.
State House administrator Katoo Ole Metito has defended his office against allegations of withholding the pension of former Vice President Moody Awori. In his appearance before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Ole Metito stated that the Treasury has delayed responses to his funding requests.
Ole Metito revealed that he has written several letters to the Treasury requesting allocation of funds for Awori's pension in accordance with the law, but has received no replies. “We have written to the Treasury requesting it to allocate the legally required funds, but we have not received any response. I do not know the reason for this delay,” said Ole Metito, as he presented copies of those letters to the committee.
State House, under the administrator as the principal accounting officer, oversees benefits for retired presidents, their deputies, and other appointed officials, as per parliamentary allocation. The Retired Vice Presidents and Other Appointed Officials Benefits Act entitles those who served as Vice President, Prime Minister, Deputy President, Speaker, Deputy Chief Justice, or Chief Justice since January 1, 1993, to pensions and other benefits.
Additionally, benefits for the widow of the late Vice President George Saitoti have been affected by the delay. Ole Metito emphasized that his office has endeavored to ensure payments are made legally, but the Treasury has complicated the process.
This has led to tension between State House and the Treasury over the implementation of pension laws.