A leading Kenyan newspaper has slammed legislation before the National Assembly that seeks to reinstate retirees in the Public Service.
Supporters of the legislation said the move would beef up talent in critical service areas and put money in the pockets of senior citizens.
However, the Business Daily newspaper said the Geriatric Bill, 2021 “is yet another slap in the face for the youth in this country”.
In an editorial, the newspaper said that on “countless occasions”, State officials had prioritised the interests of old and privileged citizens at the expense of young people.
“There is no justification for the proposed law in a country teeming with highly-qualified and jobless youth who represent the majority of the population,” the newspaper said.
“Retired Civil Servants have had their chance and should stay away from the Public Service to allow succession to continue through the ranks, starting with employment of young people.”
The editorial accepted that there could be justification in recalling retirees who had skills and experience that could not be found elsewhere.
“But to open the floodgate for retirees to revive their careers is insensitive in a country with a growing population,” it said.
“The other justification offered by the drafters of the Bill is that we need to take care of the old. The question is why are we obsessed with senior citizens who have had long, gainful employment and are now drawing pensions and gratuity?”
The newspaper said retired Public Servants hardly qualified as being vulnerable to poverty “and to create a new law to lift their fortunes above the truly poor is insensitive”.
Nairobi, 20 January 2022
