The Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has issued a firm summons to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, demanding his personal appearance to address unresolved grievances affecting retirees and beneficiaries of government compensation schemes.
During a heated session on Tuesday, the committee dismissed Principal Secretary Cyrell Wagunda Odede, insisting that only the Cabinet Secretary could satisfactorily respond to the critical issues raised in multiple petitions.
These include unpaid pensions for former Kenya Railways and KEMRI staff, unremitted death and disability benefits for public servants, and delayed honoraria for former councillors.
“This will continue to drag if we keep entertaining lower-level representations. Decisions lie at the Cabinet level,” said Committee Chair Sen. Julius Murgor.
“We expect the CS in person on Monday, August 4. No more excuses about Cabinet meetings.”
Senators expressed mounting frustration over what they termed a pattern of avoidance by the Treasury. “If the CS is not present, there’s no need to continue. Let him come and conclude this,” said Sen. Samuel Seki (Kajiado County).
Vice-Chairperson Crystal Asige echoed the sentiments, noting that the CS’s repeated absences signal disregard for parliamentary processes. “These matters have dragged for years. We must uphold accountability.”
Sen. Enock Wambua, a guest at the session, was particularly blunt. “Mbadi, a former MP and committee chair, knows this House. He once championed retirees’ rights but is now dodging responsibility. Appearing before Parliament is not optional—it is constitutional.”
Despite allowing brief remarks from petitioners, the committee suspended further deliberations until the CS appears. Should he miss the August 4 sitting, members warned they would initiate formal parliamentary action to compel attendance.
