A new retirement scheme for county government workers in Kenya has been proposed through a parliamentary bill published in the Kenya Gazette. The County Governments Retirement Scheme Bill, 2026, outlines a dedicated framework for managing pension funds, contributions, and benefits for county workers. The bill, numbered National Assembly Bills No. 57, was published on August 19, 2026, in Gazette Supplement No. 211.
The proposed changes aim to improve the financial security of county workers by establishing a structured retirement system. The bill includes provisions for membership criteria, contribution rates, and the administration of pension funds. It also seeks to address gaps in the current retirement benefits system, which has been criticized for inconsistency across different county governments.
The new scheme is expected to provide clearer guidelines for both employers and employees, ensuring more predictable and sustainable retirement benefits. While details on implementation timelines and funding mechanisms remain under discussion, the bill marks a significant step toward standardizing retirement policies in Kenya’s decentralized governance structure.
The proposal has drawn attention from labor unions and financial experts, who are now reviewing the implications for public sector workers. The next step will involve public consultations and potential legislative approval before the scheme becomes operational.
