A note of optimism coloured Thursday’s meeting of the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare as senators, pensioners and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) officials closed ranks around a rescue plan to end years of delayed payments to Kenya Railways retirees.

Chaired by Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot), the committee heard that a tripartite taskforce — comprising the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (KRSRBS) and the petitioners — has completed reconciliation of accounts, leaving the National Treasury to release the outstanding funds.

Presenting the joint report, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga said arrears amounting to KSh 2.387 billion had accrued to both active and deferred members as of 31 October 2025.

“The scheme intends to clear the outstanding arrears from the KSh 2.264 billion expected from the acquisition of the Nairobi Railway Club by KeNHA,” he told the Committee, urging Treasury to expedite the disbursement.

Sen. Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) questioned how the difference between what is owed and what Treasury is expected to release would be bridged, a concern echoed by Sen. Miraj Abdullahi, who also sought assurances that such crises would not recur.

In reply, Mainga outlined a long-term stabilisation plan beginning February 2026, saying the scheme was liquidating under-utilised assets — including property at Makongeni valued at roughly KSh 8 billion — to invest proceeds in government bonds and other income-generating instruments.

He added that KURA and the former Ministry of Devolution still owed the scheme millions of shillings from earlier land transactions in Muthurwa.

Sen. Seki Lenku (Kajiado) urged the committee to invite the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury or secure a written commitment on when the KSh 2.264 billion will be released.

“When that money comes, it must go directly to the pensioners,” he cautioned. “We don’t want to hear that it has been diverted to another activity.”

Lead petitioner Rodgers Washika reminded the meeting of the human cost of the delayed pension disbursements.

“We are dealing with vulnerable pensioners — the oldest is 90 years and the average age 75. Some are in hospital, others struggling with the cost of medicine. We need Treasury to release those funds,” he pleaded.

Sen. Murgor assured pensioners that the committee would not relent until every shilling reaches the rightful beneficiaries and thanked the tripartite team for charting a roadmap to restore dignity to Kenya’s ageing railway workers.