Ex KDF soldier appears before Senate Committee on hospital stretcher to plead for compensation

Ex KDF Officer Mr. Isaiah Ochanda appeared before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on Tuesday March 5, 2024 on a hospital stretcher over non-fulfilment of court orders by the Ministry of Defence and non-payment of disability pension.

Ochanda whose state of appearance before the committee drew deep emotions among the Lawmakers and staff pleaded with Senators to intervene and push for his rightful dues as pronounced by the court.

He told the committee that in 1987 he sustained spinal cord injuries while in the course of his duties, which left him paraplegic and later made him be discharged from duty in 1995 on medical grounds.

Ex KDF Officer Isaiah Ochanda when appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on March 5, 2024. Photo: TV47

He revealed to the Lawmakers that despite completing all the necessary clearance documents, he is yet to be paid his lawful dues attributing the failure to the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Attorney General.

The Petitioner earlier on filed a case in the High Court of Kenya, Civil Case No.1051 of 1996, and a judgment was made on 2nd March, 2011 with the court awarding him Ksh 22.9 million.

“The Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Attorney-General (AG), did not obey the court order despite me making several follow-ups and appeals through various offices, including the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” he told the committee.

The Petitioner further went for judicial review and the ruling was delivered on 14th July, 2023, compelling the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Attorney-General to satisfy the decree in High Court Civil Case No.1051 of 1996 to the Petitioner, and to which also they did not take action according to the petitioner.

Ochanda who was accompanied by his wife and son made a passionate plea to the committee to strongly intervene and help him, emphasizing that his only hope is now in the Senate.

He said following the accident, he has remained bedridden with no contribution in the upbringing of his family due to inability to do anything.

He wondered why the Cabinet Secretary for Defence has not been arrested despite the court issuing a warrant of arrest for failure to fulfill the court orders.

Under the leadership of the session Chair Senator for Kajiado County Seki Lenku, the committee resolved to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Defence to deliberate on the petition.

The Senators sympathized with the petitioner`s state and assured him that the Security committee will handle his petition keenly with the intention of ensuring that justice is delivered to him.

Members present during the meeting were Kajiado County Senator Seki Lenku (Session Chairperson), Sen. Karen Nyamu, Sen. George Mbugua and Isiolo County Sen. Fatuma Dullo.