The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) has partnered with Huduma Centre in holding a five-day outreach programme meant to sensitise members of the public on issues about retirement schemes.
Speaking during an opening ceremony held at Meru Huduma Centre grounds, RBA's Market Conduct, Industry, and Development Director Tom Kiptanui said they aimed to reach out to Kenyans and tell them how they could save for their future. "As an institution, we are ready to work with Huduma centers closely to ensure that we address any issues Kenyans may have regarding how they can join retirement schemes or complaints in the schemes that they are already in," said Mr Kiptanui.
He said RBA already has assets of over Sh2.3 trillion saved by Kenyans in various schemes and their responsibility is to make sure they are safe, and more importantly, make sure that this money is paid out within 30 days of retirement as required by law, regardless of whether one takes early or late retirement. "Apart from coming out for the outreach to tell Kenyans how important it is to save, it's good also to address the issues they have been facing with their respective schemes and this is why these five days will be very critical," he said. "We desire that going on, we will not have these clinics but ensure we have our presence within Huduma Centres all over the country to conveniently serve beneficiaries," said Kiptanui.
He encouraged members of the public to take advantage of the five days to have their issues sorted out, including those who have not joined pension schemes. "We have had challenges in terms of remittances in some pension schemes and these are mainly quasi-government institutions like universities and local authorities, where money has not been coming in as required," he noted. "It's something we have noted and we are engaging with the various trustees and employers to make sure they put in place interventions that will make sure the funds are remitted in time," said Kiptanui.
