Retiring from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) should be a time of rest. Instead, for thousands of Kenyan teachers, it marks the beginning of a bureaucratic torture that can last decades.

A shocking report by the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) has revealed that some retired teachers have waited up to 26 years to receive their pension dues. The report calls for a complete overhaul of the "dysfunctional" pension system, citing lost files, corruption, and an uncaring attitude at the Pensions Department.

The Waiting Game

The Ombudsman highlighted 274 specific complaints against the Pensions Department. The statistics are horrifying:

• The Dead Queue: 20 retirees have been waiting for over 26 years—meaning many have likely died in poverty while the government sat on their money. Another 48 have waited between 16 and 25 years.
• The "Missing File" Excuse: The most common reason given for delays is missing documentation. TSC and the Pensions Department frequently blame each other, leaving the retiree stranded in the middle.
• Systemic Cruelty: "These are not just statistics," said Ombudsman Florence Kajuju. "These are senior citizens unable to buy medication or food after serving this nation for 30 years."

Demanding Change

The Commission has recommended the digitization of all records and a strict timeline for processing claims. It also called for interest to be paid on delayed pensions. Until the system is fixed, teaching remains a noble profession with an ignoble exit.