Kenyans will soon be able to access retirement and pension-related services at selected Huduma Centres following a new collaboration between the Huduma Kenya Secretariat and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).
The initiative is designed to expand access to retirement services by equipping Huduma Centre staff with the skills required to assist members of the public with pension-related information and retirement planning.
In a statement issued on Monday, Huduma Kenya said the programme will enable frontline officers to offer guidance on retirement savings, pension contributions and available retirement benefit services.
“Kenyans will soon enjoy easier access to retirement and pension services through selected Huduma Centres after our frontline officers undergo specialised training in partnership with the Retirement Benefits Authority,” the agency said.
According to Huduma Kenya, the training programme is aimed at strengthening the capacity of customer service officers to respond to retirement-related enquiries and provide accurate information to citizens seeking pension services.
The officers will also be able to advise members of the public on retirement planning and refer clients to the appropriate institutions whenever specialised assistance is required.
Expanding retirement services
Currently, Huduma Centres mainly allow citizens to check the status of pension applications, while most retirement-related services require physical visits to offices operated by the Retirement Benefits Authority or the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The new arrangement is expected to gradually expand the range of services available at Huduma Centres, making retirement information and support more accessible across the country.
Officials believe the initiative will help improve service delivery while encouraging more Kenyans to plan for their financial security after retirement.
Supporting decentralised government services
The partnership forms part of the government’s broader strategy to decentralise public services by expanding the range of services offered through Huduma Centres.
By bringing pension services closer to citizens, the government aims to reduce congestion at central government offices, lower travel costs for clients and improve access to essential services, particularly for residents living far from major towns.
The programme is also expected to support the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen financial literacy and promote retirement planning among Kenyans by making pension information more readily available at the grassroots level.
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