Permanent Secretary for the State Department of Industry in the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry ,Dr Juma Mukhwana meeting former Pan Paper employees representatives in his office in Nairobi…Photo/courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya
Principal Secretary Secretary for the State Department of Industry in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana ,on Tuesday took center stage in efforts to resolve long-running payment delays affecting former workers of Pan African Paper Mills, confirming that hundreds have now received their dues.
Dr. Mukhwana met officials of Ex–Pan African Paper Mills led by Patrick Mayavi a senior ministry official and a resident of Bungoma to address administrative and financial bottlenecks that have stalled settlements for years.
The meeting focused on clearing documentation hurdles and aligning bank records to fast-track pending payments.
The principal secretary said 652 former employees have already been paid, marking a significant step in closing the chapter on the troubled firm’s legacy obligations.
An additional 697 cases, he said, are undergoing final documentation clearance and are expected to be processed once verification is complete.
Some payments were deferred after beneficiaries were found to have closed bank accounts, while others lacked sufficient documentation to substantiate claims, Dr. Mukhwana said.
He noted that the government is working with relevant departments to resolve the gaps without compromising accountability.
“The objective is to ensure all genuine beneficiaries are paid while maintaining proper financial controls,” he said, underscoring the need for accurate records to protect public funds.
Also present at the meeting were officials Reuben Muchika, John Onyango and Wellington Akidiva. From the State Department, Secretary to Administration Karanja Njora attended alongside finance and accounts officials Joash Akuma, Earnest Lukayu and Paul Kinyanjui.
