Chogoria: Former councilors from the Eastern region have formally appointed National Assembly Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi as their patron as they intensify calls for the government to address their long-standing grievances, particularly the payment of gratuity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the leaders, who met in Chogoria, Tharaka Nithi County, said the appointment marked a new chapter in their push to have their concerns elevated to the national stage. Speaking during the meeting, regional chairman Jerevasio Murithi expressed that many former councilors continue to face financial difficulties because they have never received their gratuity, despite diligently serving before the advent of county governments.
Murithi stated, "We have now appointed Kathuri Murungi to be our patron, and through his office, we believe our issues will be listened to and acted upon. The government must pay us our rightful dues." Francis Njeru, Chairman of the Embu Chapter, emphasized that the government cannot ignore the plight of former civic leaders who laid the foundation for devolved governance.
Treasurer Isaya Kathoka from Tharaka Nithi Chapter reaffirmed their loyalty to the Kenya Kwanza administration but urged the government to reciprocate by settling their dues. The former councilors also disclosed that they are seeking an audience with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to push for the immediate release of their gratuity.
Across the country, former councilors have for years been pushing for the payment of gratuity and pensions, arguing that many of them were left in hardship after devolution came into effect in 2013. They insist that settling the matter will restore dignity to thousands of civic leaders who once served in local authorities before county governments were established. They called on the national government to act swiftly, warning that continued neglect was stripping many of them of dignity after years of public service.