The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is set to launch several new initiatives as part of a broader effort to modernise the social security system.
As part of a pilot programme, the NSSF plans to roll out a mobile-based enrolment system to enable individuals in remote and underserved areas to easily register and contribute to the fund.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of delivery management, Eliud Owalo, the move was necessitated after it was observed that people in remote areas of the country were significantly underrepresented in social security schemes.
In addition to the mobile-based enrolment system, the NSSF has also embarked on the automation of its processes to increase contributions and enhance the efficiency of its management of members' funds.
According to Owalo, the government is keen on optimising operations in the fiscal year 2023/2024, and reducing the time taken in processing members' benefits and ensuring that retirees receive their funds more quickly was one of the main ways to achieve this.
Part of the optimisation process involves the adaptation of advanced digital platforms to streamline contributions and claims processes - something which the government projects will considerably reduce administrative costs.
Further, the government also wants to expand the social security fund to the informal sector which has been heavily underrepresented, partly because of a lack of financial literacy among potential contributors.
Since taking office in 2022, one of President William Ruto's key agendas was the digitisation of government operations.
Despite an initial target of digitising 5,000 services, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently revealed at least 21589 services had gone digital on the e-Citizen platform.
Meanwhile, salaried Kenyans are bracing for heftier contributions to the NSSF after the President signed into law new tax amendments on December 11, 2024.
Following provisions in the NSSF Act of 2013, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions will double from the current rate of Ksh.2,160.
Experts are now warning Kenyans to prepare for tough financial times by taking advantage of the tax amnesties to ensure compliance.
