The government has announced major reforms to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) aimed at modernising the country’s social security system.
Several new initiatives will be introduced to make the fund more efficient and accessible, especially for people in remote areas who have been underrepresented in social security coverage.
As part of a pilot programme, the NSSF plans to launch a mobile-based registration system. This initiative will allow people in underserved areas to easily enrol and contribute to the fund using their mobile phones, making social security services more inclusive.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of delivery management, Eliud Owalo, stated that the move was prompted by the observation that many citizens in remote regions were not participating in social security schemes.
In addition to the mobile enrolment system, the NSSF has begun automating its services to improve efficiency in managing members’ funds and increase contribution levels.
Owalo highlighted that the government is prioritising operational improvements during the 2023/2024 financial year.
One of the key goals is to speed up the process of disbursing retirement benefits, ensuring that retirees receive their funds more promptly.
A significant part of this optimisation involves adopting advanced digital platforms to simplify how contributions and claims are handled.
By streamlining these processes, the government expects to cut down on administrative costs significantly.
Furthermore, there are efforts to expand the reach of the social security fund to the informal sector, which has long been excluded from such coverage.
Many individuals in this sector have been left out due to limited financial literacy, and the government aims to address this gap through awareness campaigns and accessible digital solutions.
Since assuming office in 2022, President William Ruto has prioritised the digitisation of government services as part of his administration’s reforms.
Initially targeting 5,000 services for digital transformation, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently reported that over 21,589 services had gone digital through the e-Citizen platform, surpassing expectations.
Meanwhile, salaried Kenyans should prepare for increased deductions after the President approved new tax amendments on December 11, 2024.
Under the provisions of the NSSF Act of 2013, monthly contributions will double from the current Ksh.2,160.
Financial experts are now advising Kenyans to brace for challenging economic conditions and take advantage of available tax amnesties to remain compliant with the new regulations.
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