The Kenya Editors’ Guild on Thursday held a policy engagement with the Retirement Benefits Authority Kenya (RBA), in a forum focused on pension security, compliance and financial literacy for media professionals.
The meeting, led by RBA Chief Executive Officer Mr Charles Machira, provided an overview of the country’s retirement benefits landscape, highlighting both growth and structural gaps within the sector.
According to data shared during the session, pension assets have grown to KSh 2.53 trillion, underscoring the expansion of Kenya’s retirement savings pool. However, the Authority raised concern over KSh 72 billion in unremitted contributions — funds deducted from employees but not transmitted to pension schemes — describing it as a significant compliance challenge.
RBA data further shows total pension membership stands at 7.8 million, of whom 4.5 million are active contributors, across 1,030 registered schemes. Despite the growth in assets and membership, pension coverage remains at 26 per cent, pointing to persistent gaps in long-term savings among the working population.
Participants underscored that while asset growth reflects confidence in the retirement benefits sector, enforcement mechanisms must keep pace to address non-remittance and safeguard contributors’ savings. The discussion emphasised the need to strengthen compliance frameworks, enhance transparency and promote early saving through sustained financial literacy initiatives.
Editors attending the forum noted that retirement planning is not merely a long-term aspiration but a matter of present-day financial security and dignity. The engagement was framed as part of ongoing efforts to equip journalists and media practitioners with clearer information to support informed decision-making about their financial futures.
The Guild welcomed the Authority’s openness in sharing data and engaging directly with media leaders, describing the dialogue as a step toward deeper collaboration in advancing pension awareness and accountability. Kenya Editors Guild was led of its President Zubeidah Kananu, CEO Linda Bach, Council Members Andy Kagwa – Print, Agnes Mwangangi – council member Radio, among others.
