The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has defended the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) against bribery allegations by Members of Parliament, challenging the MPs to provide evidence to support their claims.
In a press statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the organisation had not received complaints from contributing members or any of its 47 affiliated trade unions regarding the alleged denial of benefits raised during parliamentary proceedings.
During a parliamentary session on October 14, Ichung'wah led other lawmakers in accusing NSSF of demanding bribes from retired civil servants seeking their benefits from the Fund.
According to the Kikuyu MP, officers at NSSF have continued to demand bribes from retirees to fast-track their benefits, and the MP argues that the management should take responsibility for the allegations.
A side-by-side image of COTU SG Francis Atwoli and NA Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah
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Kenyans.co.ke
"It is not ordinary staff members at NSSF who are demanding bribes, because fish always rots from the head. If you see staff at NSSF demanding bribes, then the management must relook at what they are doing at NSSF. And I think, listening to members of the committee, listening to members of this house, I want to ask the management at NSSF to shape up or ship out," Ichung'wah stated.
In response to the allegations, COTU, which has two seats on the NSSF Board of Trustees, said it had not received any complaints from its members regarding them.
"First, COTU (K) wishes to state that we have not received any report from our contributing members or our 47 affiliated trade unions complaining about denial of benefits alleged during the parliamentary proceedings," Atwoli stated.
The union called on MPs who had raised concerns about alleged bribery demands from retirees to identify the affected contributors, provide evidence, and initiate appropriate accountability processes.
"It is, therefore, unacceptable for politicians to make generalised accusations about claims of demand of cash from retirees by officers at NSSF without presenting evidence, identifying the affected contributors, or initiating the appropriate processes to ensure accountability," the union added.
At the same time, COTU defended NSSF's performance, highlighting significant financial growth in the past three years.
According to the union, NSSF's portfolio has increased from approximately Ksh312 billion to Ksh814 billion, putting it on course to become a trillion-shilling fund.
"For the past three (3) years,NSSF has grown its Fund from approximately Ksh312 billion to Ksh814 billion, placing it firmly on the path towards becoming a trillion-shilling Fund and one of the leading social security institutions on the African continent," the statement said.
The achievements, Atwoli said, demonstrated progress in managing workers' retirement savings and argued that the Fund's transformation should be recognised even as Parliament exercises its oversight mandate.
The union further warned NSSF management and the Board of Trustees against intimidation, blackmail and political interference, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
An undated photo of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) building in Nairobi.
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Courtesy