KISUMU, 22nd April, 2026 – The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), in an elaborate partnership, have intensified their concerted efforts to sensitize journalists to save in a pension scheme for a safe retirement after years in the newsroom.
This comes against the backdrop of the RBA’s recent survey report indicating that Sh2.81 trillion has been saved by 4.1 million Kenyans actively contributing to retirement, accounting for 16% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Of these figures, the media fraternity posted a worrying margin, underscoring the urgent need to scale up pension planning and savings culture in the sector. In light of the foregoing, the authority, through its Strategic Plan for 2024-2029, aims to strategically promote saving for retirement to hit the Sh 3.1 trillion mark for total pension assets and the pension coverage to 34%.
Making remarks during the Media Sensitization Training on Retirement Planning and Pension Reporting held at a Kisumu hotel on Tuesday, 21st April, Simon Kiplangat, and RBA’s Corporate Services Director underscored one of the authority’s core mandates as to “Promote Development of the Retirement Benefits sector”, and to ensure “Dignity in Retirement” for every Kenyan.
“I would like to remind the media fraternity that the future is uncertain and the best way is to prepare. I encourage all of you to register for an individual pension scheme apart from the one provided by your employer. We want to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your future through savings for a dignified retirement,” Kiplangat emphasized.
He also acknowledged that journalists occupy a unique and powerful place in society, “You are very powerful in how you influence the people on how they receive this information. You are the conveyors of the information based on attractive packaging –able to interpret and give a pictorial of the scenario.”
Affirming the position, Victor Bwire, MCK’s Director for Media Training and Development, said that for years they have been running programs for financial literacy aimed at making journalists think seriously about retirement.
“We must be deliberate about our future as individuals and organizations. How do we inspire people to save?” he posed to the attentive journalists drawn from Kisumu and Vihiga Counties.
Despite widespread concern that “Over 95% of journalists’ shoes are pinching harder as most of them lose jobs and media houses face shutdown,” Bwire stressed that: “They must learn to sacrifice and save somewhere.” The sensitization forums have also been held in Garissa, Machakos, Nyeri, and the upcoming one in Eldoret, geared towards equipping journalists in those counties.
On his part, Tom Kiptanui, RBA’s Market Conduct and Industrial Director, revealed that the industry has continued to record growth across all key metrics such as total pension assets, membership, and pension coverage.
“The RBA is on track to reach its target of Sh3.2 trillion as outlined in its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Let’s not worry, we are assuring you of a secure avenue to get your pension once you retire,” he allayed fears over the timely payments of pension benefits.
During his presentation, Kiptanui took the attendees through RBA’s key agendas, including Retirement Planning, Retirement Saving, Retirement Preparedness, and Financial Preparedness, among others.
He also highlighted some of the importance of financial planning for retirement, including financial independence, sustaining a quality of life, healthcare provision, and achieving desired goals.
“Others are mitigation against risks, emergency preparedness, relief for dependents, investments, and business and peace of mind.”
“Enhancing pension training and education is vital to achieving this objective, hence the need for planning and saving,” RBA clarifies as it urges the media to take out the message of pension schemes for safe retirement.
