By Gerald Mukembu
The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) is urging informal sector workers—including Mama Mboga (female market vendors), Bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) operators, and Jua Kali artisans—to enroll in pension schemes to secure their financial future after retirement.
Deputy County commissioner Audilia Ndeti plants a tree in presence of Huduma Kenya CEO Ben Kai Chilumo and the RBA director Kiptanui
Speaking in Meru during an awareness campaign, RBA Director Tom Kiptanui emphasized that pension schemes are not exclusive to formally employed individuals. He noted that the authority is partnering with Huduma Kenya to raise awareness and provide easy access to pension services at grassroots levels.
“We are here to partner with Huduma Kenya and reach out to Kenyans sensitizing them on how they can get retirement benefits,” said Kiptanui.
“Pension is not only for those employed but there is a chance for Mama Mboga, Juakali and Bodaboda operators to join a pension scheme. We are here to partner with Huduma Kenya and reach out to Kenyans sensitizing them on how they can get retirement benefits,” he said.
He said they already have Sh2.3trillion assets saved by Kenyans in various pension schemes.
Kiptanui said the authority is aware of the challenge when it comes to remittances by some of the pension schemes especially from Universities and local authorities where unremitted funds are close to Sh50billion.
“We have noted this and we are actually engaging with various trustees and employers to make sure that they put in place interventions to remit those funds. We are going out to see a way we can amend the law so that we can invite agents who help to recover the funds from employers. There are various interventions put in place,” he said.
He added that proposals have been forwarded to national treasury and discussions are ongoing to ensure every member gets their benefits timely.
He said RBA is working on legal amendments to enable recovery of unremitted funds through agents and in collaboration with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
He said their officers will be stationed at all Huduma centres to address issues raised by members.
He noted that many times many Kenyans do not know the available platform to get the benefits when they retire.
“In the event one does not get their money after retirement within 30 days, a member needs to launch their claim to the trustees and RBA follows on behalf of the member for free. Don’t stay at home and say my money has not been remitted. Reach out to RBA and we will ensure your money has been paid in time,” he said.
Huduma Kenya CEO Ben Kai Chilumo said they are partnering with RBA to entrench Huduma mashinani as the sensitize Kenyans to join pension schemes.
“There are 58 Huduma centre branches to ease service delivery to Mwananchi. There is no need to go all the way to Nairobi to claim your pension schemes after retiring but these services have now been devolved and are available at every Huduma centre,” he said.
He said they also offer free telecommunications contact services through their free toll number 1919.
He appealed to Kenyans whenever they have a complaint to contact the number and they will find a solution to any government services query.
