Joy as ex-Posta Kenya workers receive their dues as scheme promises to increase pension

“I can now pay my grandchildren’s school fees!”

These were the words of elderly people who worked in Posta Kenya after they got their pension and dues after waiting for years with many passing away without receiving their pay.

They said they have been going through a lot since their retirement, but now they can access their funds through the Telposta Pension Scheme without delays so that they can cater to their needs.

Speaking today in Kakamega after an inclusion meeting, the Posta Kenya retirees led by Obeda Alkhava said the money will assist them in paying school fees for their grandchildren and buying food items that would reduce their age.

According to the pensioners, some of them retired in 1994 at the ages of 70, but they would not access the funds, but now they are happy because they can access their pension.

“They have no arrears, and we are glad to say the money has helped us; we can now educate our grandchildren and buy food,” Alkhava said.

The Alhava statement was echoed by Florentina Lunalo, who retired in 2006 and has been earning her benefits, which raised her farming activities that have catered to her family.

She said the Telposta Pension Scheme increases her income per year, making her life soft, where she said even her age has reduced.

She added that for over 19 years after retirement, life was not easy since she was a casual labourer, but the Telposta Scheme has helped her to educate her siblings and now the grandchildren.

“After retiring in 2006, I did not get my pension immediately, but as for now, I am enjoying life. They have even increased my yearly income, and that’s why I still look young because I have money,” Mrs Lunalo said.

However, the Telposta Scheme Initiative Administrator Peter Rotich said the scheme was established in the year 1997 to assist not only Posta Kenya retirees but also East Africa Posts and Telecommunication, Kenya Posts, Telkom Kenya, Communication Authority of Kenya, among others that are under Communication, to get their funds timely.

He disclosed that their mandate is to set up pension schemes for members to steer their contributions, sound investment management and delivering reliable retirement security to pensioners and beneficiaries.

He added that the initiative will move to all counties across Kenya to make sure every pensioner has his or her money in their pockets that may assist them in thriving in their living forward.

“Our mandate as Telposta is to make sure pensioners of PostabKenya have money and can enjoy life,” Peter Rotich said.

He revealed that as members, they give pensioners time to be listened to, enhance accountability and build stronger relationships between them.

According to Peter Rotich, over 700,000 members have registered, and 5,000 are being paid their benefits timely. However, 3,000 have pending registration, but once completed, they receive their money without delays.

He urged those who have not registered with the pension scheme but worked with Posta Kenya to move swiftly and register so that their money can be transferred to their accounts immediately.

“We ask those who worked in posta to register so that they get money; we have been increasing yearly income by at least 5% and more so that our members benefit,” Peter urged.