The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare’s investigation into the collapse of the Technical University of Kenya Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (TUKSRBS) escalated sharply on Thursday after senators rejected submissions from mid-level representatives of the scheme’s administrator, custodian bank and fund manager—instead invoking constitutional powers to compel the personal attendance of their chief executives.

Chaired by Sen Julius Murgor (West Pokot), the session marked a continuation of the 25th September sitting in which TUK Vice-Chancellor Prof Benedict Mutua and Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) CEO Charles Machira disclosed that KSh 244 million deducted from employees between 2009 and 2013 had not been deposited in the registered scheme. RBA also reported a further KSh 2,811,623,012 in unremitted pension contributions and KSh 1,337,053,592 in accumulated interest.

Citing Senate precedents and the massive sums involved, Senators said they would not accept delegated representation.

“The amounts in question are staggering and the impression being made is that some people benefitted from millions meant for others. Therefore, the seriousness of this issue demands we insist on the attendance of the decision makers of these institutions,” said Sen (Rtd) Justice Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi).

Supporting the position, Sen Seki Lenku (Kajiado) argued that only CEOs could provide binding assurances.

He noted that “representatives cannot offer finality on information and action sought, which will draw out the process.”

Those appearing before the committee included TUK Vice-Chancellor Prof Mutua, Council Chairperson Dr Idle Omar Farah, CPF Pensions Manager Michelle Nyandiko, Octagon Pension Services Director Anthony Odhiambo and KCB Head of Investor Services Florence Nduba. Petitioners led by UASU TUK Chapter Secretary Fred Sawenja were also in attendance. 

However, senators refused to proceed, insisting that only the chief executives of the financial institutions could adequately respond to allegations of mismanagement.

Defending the committee’s stance, Sen Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) stressed that rejecting testimony from the officials present was not an act of disrespect.

“Our insistence on hearing from CEOs is not meant to belittle the representatives of the institutions but is rooted in Senate precedents and the pragmatic need for authoritative, actionable commitments,” said the Murang’a senator.

Senators also revisited allegations by petitioner Sawenja that a member education meeting had been disrupted by then acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Francis Aduol, allegedly preventing service providers from disclosing critical information. Senators demanded that Prof Aduol appear to clarify whether the providers withdrew voluntarily or under pressure.

Citing Article 125 of the Constitution and Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act — which grants committees the authority to summon individuals and impose fines of up to KSh 500,000 for non-compliance — the committee directed that the CEOs of KCB, CPF and Octagon Pension Services must personally appear in the next sitting, scheduled for 21st October 2025. Failure to attend, senators warned, would trigger formal sanctions.

Other senators present included Sen Crystal Asige (Vice-chair), Sen Alexander Mundigi (Embu) and Sen Miraj Abdullahi.