Proposal to ban pensions for civil servants ill-advised
The Retirement Benefits Authority blames the accumulation of unremitted retirement savings deductions on inefficiencies by pension scheme trustees.
Shocking • Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria’s suggestion that pensions for civil servants be abolished to curb public spending has stunned Eliab Otiato. “The President’s senior economic adviser talks of a Bill to be introduced in Parliament to do away with civil servants’ pensions. What Kuria and others are enjoying today is the result of hard work by the civil service.” His contact is mabwaeliab@gmail.com.
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Good move • The government’s decision to make mathematics an optional subject for learners in senior school “is a wise and long-overdue move”, says Stephen Njuru. “Many students perform poorly in the subject and end up getting lower overall grades in the Form Four national exam, having totally failed to understand and master the key mathematical concepts.” His contact is stephenjuru1@gmail.com.
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Health crisis • The Social Health Insurance Fund being implemented by the Social Health Authority is in a shambles and is fomenting a health crisis, says Dr Kennedy Miyoro Mochabo. “The people are now self-medicating or turning to the backstreet clinics and this is likely to lead to an antimicrobial resistance, which the WHO has warned about.” His contact is kmochabo@hotmail.com.
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Lasting ties • Commonwealth Day is an occasion marked on March 17 by Britain and its former colonies, says Alnashir D. Walji. “This shows the colonies have never severed ties with their former master, whose king is the head of the Commonwealth. True to the maxim the sun never set on the British Empire, he should cement the ties. Hail the commonwealth!” His contact is alnashirdwalji@yahoo.com.
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No humanity • The most heart-breaking news Ruth Gituma has heard lately is that a passenger was thrown out of a moving matatu for lacking fare and died. She poses: “Where was the humanity of the other passengers? They could have saved him by standing up for him. This incident makes me wonder whether we really value human life. We’ve become barbaric!” Her contact is rgitum@gmail.com.
Have a human day, won’t you!