When civil servants retire, most of them return to their rural homes and wait for nature to take its course.
But Maurice Makhanu, who served the country (Kenya) for 27 years, transferred his skills to the village where he serves as an arbitrator.
Currently, he helps in solving disputes and contributes to the development of Bumula village, which he says has numerous land disputes.
Makhanu acquired his arbitration skills when he worked as an administrator in various parts of the country and when he retired, he converted one of the rooms in his house into an office, just like the one he had as a civil servant. “I thought after my retirement, I would devote my time exclusively to family and leisure but that was never the case,” says Makhanu.
Sometimes, he is invited by the administrators or police officers to help to resolve some disputes. “I have been insisting on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms which work well because matters are resolved amicably and to the satisfaction of the parties involved,” he says.
On some occasions, villagers present petty issues, but the former PC has no option but to listen and act accordingly.
“Some residents will go to the police but I intervene and demand that the issues, particularly family matters, be referred back to the elders since police can hardly understand their root cause,” explains Makhanu.
One of the recent cases he resolved involved a man who was allegedly found chewing sugarcane in a neighbour’s farm. The farm owner is said to have beaten him up before the matter was reported to the police.
“It was a big issue because the victim insisted that he should be paid Sh300,000 for the injuries he sustained. I requested the police to let us handle the matter. I later convinced both parties to agree on a Sh60, 000 fine for the victim to seek treatment.”
Retirement for civil servants should be a starting point to the next phase of life for civil servants and not an end to the actualization of life’s purpose.
Arbitration and ADR can serve as a fallback plan upon retirement.
The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) as the first Arbitration Institute in Sub-Saharan Africa and the most reputable Arbitration Institute in West Africa is open to you regardless of your profession.
Maurice Makhanu History from: Benard Lusigi
