Kenyans will soon be able to access retirement and pension services at selected Huduma Centres across the country under a new government plan aimed at bringing the services closer to the people.
The programme, unveiled on Monday through a partnership between the Huduma Kenya Secretariat and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), will see frontline Huduma officers trained to assist members of the public on retirement and pension-related matters.
Once rolled out, Kenyans will be able to seek guidance on retirement planning, pension benefits, claims and other related services without having to visit RBA offices.
The government says the move is intended to improve access to retirement services while making it easier for wananchi to get information and support near where they live.
The initiative is also expected to boost awareness on the importance of retirement planning and encourage more Kenyans to save for life after employment.
The training marks another step in the government’s efforts to use Huduma Centres as one-stop service points, with more public services continuing to be integrated under the programme.
Officials said the partnership will help ensure retirement benefits information reaches more Kenyans, particularly those who have previously faced challenges accessing the services.
Established under the Retirement Benefits Act, the RBA is mandated to regulate and supervise Kenya’s retirement benefits sector, safeguard members’ savings and promote a savings culture among workers.
The authority has in recent years stepped up campaigns to encourage more Kenyans, particularly those in the informal sector, to save for retirement.
The programme also comes as the retirement benefits industry continues to grow, with pension schemes managing assets worth more than KSh2.8 trillion, underscoring the sector’s growing role in Kenya’s economy and the need to make retirement services more accessible.
The government has continued to use Huduma Centres as a one-stop shop for public services, with more state agencies integrating their services into the centres to improve convenience, reduce travel costs and bring government services closer to citizens across the country.