Former Marsabit councillors seek intervention on gratuity payment

Former councillors from across Marsabit County have appealed to President William Ruto to intervene in the long-standing delay in the payment of their gratuity, while reaffirming their commitment to promoting peace and unity as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.

The leaders, who served in the defunct local authorities before the introduction of devolved governments in 2013, met in Marsabit Town to deliberate on their welfare and discuss the role they intend to continue playing in fostering peaceful coexistence among the County’s diverse communities.

Led by former councillor and former Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Adan Chukulisa, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Marsabit Peace Committee, the group said they remain committed to supporting peace initiatives despite the economic challenges many retired local authority leaders continue to face.

Chukulisa said the experience acquired by former councillors during decades of public service had enabled them to remain influential voices in conflict resolution, community mobilisation and peacebuilding across the county.

He noted that Marsabit, which is home to several ethnic communities, requires continuous dialogue and collaboration among leaders to sustain the peace achieved in recent years.

“We continue to work closely with elders, religious leaders, security agencies and local communities to preserve peace in Marsabit. Our county is home to many communities, and maintaining harmony among them remains our greatest responsibility,” he said.

He attributed the county’s relative stability to sustained cooperation between community elders, peace committees, security agencies and local leaders, saying the peaceful environment had created favourable conditions for development, investment and social cohesion.

“Without peace there can be no meaningful development. Today our communities are living together peacefully, and that is something we must safeguard, especially as we approach the 2027 General Election,” Chukulisa added.

He urged residents and political leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns, avoid inflammatory statements and reject actions that could trigger ethnic or political tensions.

“We want the next elections to be defined by peace, dialogue and unity. Let us reject violence and embrace one another as Kenyans,” he said.

While expressing satisfaction with the improving security situation in the county, the former councillors said many of their colleagues continue to endure financial hardship because of delays in the payment of gratuity following the transition from local authorities to county governments.

According to Chukulisa, many former councillors dedicated years of service under modest remuneration, with some passing away before receiving the benefits they expected after leaving office.

“It is heartbreaking that some of our colleagues devoted their lives to public service and died while still waiting for justice. Those who are still alive deserve to receive the support that has long been promised,” he said.

Former Moyale Township councillor Hassan Maalim Abdulla said retired councillors played a significant role in laying the foundation for Kenya’s devolved governance system but had not benefited from the reforms they helped usher in.

He said former councillors, through their national umbrella association, had consistently petitioned successive governments, Parliament and the Senate seeking recognition and payment of gratuity.

“We have presented memoranda, engaged Parliament and the Senate and followed every legal process available to us. Our understanding is that our proposal received support in the Senate, but implementation has stalled. We simply want clarity and justice,” Abdulla said.

He appealed to President Ruto to grant representatives of former councillors an audience to discuss the matter and provide a clear way forward.

“If there is a solution, let us know it. If there are obstacles, let us also be told honestly. We only seek justice after many years of serving our communities,” he added.

Former councillor Adan Sabro echoed the appeal, saying many retired local authority leaders are elderly, vulnerable and struggling to meet their daily needs because of the prolonged delay in payment of gratuity.

He also thanked President Ruto for appointing professionals from Marsabit County to senior government positions, saying the appointments had enhanced the county’s visibility and representation at the national level.

“We appreciate the confidence the President has shown in the people of Marsabit. At the same time, we ask the government not to forget the former councillors who served their communities faithfully for many years,” Sabro said.

Former councillor Hussein Chafri Halake said retired local leaders would continue supporting the government’s peace and development agenda while advocating for the welfare of former councillors.

He noted that because of their influence at the grassroots, former councillors remained well placed to mobilise communities, resolve disputes and discourage violence before, during and after the 2027 General Election.