Retired teachers have now moved to court seeking leave to institute contempt proceedings against Teachers Service Commission (TSC) secretary.

The 50,338 teachers filed the application before Nakuru High Court Judge William Ouko through lawyer Dominic Kimatta.

Mr Kimatta told the court that unless the matter was certified urgent, part of the sum held by the Treasury was likely to be referred to the Exchequer. The retired teachers are demanding Sh16.7 billion being part of their unpaid pension arrears from 2003.

The applicants stated the respondents had acted with impunity as the money was available, but no payment had been made despite court order.

In a supporting affidavit, David Mwenja, the chairman of the retired teachers group, noted they had visited various offices including the Attorney General’s.

“We went to the AG’S a month ago and he promised the money shall be paid without further delay. However, it seems this is just a promise,” says Mwenja. Mr Mwenja said many had passed away without enjoying their pensions and the TSC seemed unmoved by the plight of the teachers wallowing in poverty.

Justice Ouko certified the application as urgent, advised the teachers to serve TSC and that both parties appear in court for hearing on November 13.

By PATRICK KIBET, The Standard