In a speech, the president stated that the country's pension savings, amounting to around 2.81 trillion Kenyan shillings, represent patient money that can be used for national development.
He added that while pension money is meant for pensioners, those pensioners have children, suggesting the funds could help create opportunities for future generations.
This has sparked outrage and fears among many Kenyans, especially on X (formerly Twitter), where users interpret it as a potential move to divert or "touch" retirees' savings—meant for their post-retirement security—toward government projects.
Comments like "Pension imeenda!" (Pension is gone!) and warnings that retirees might face delays or reduced benefits reflect widespread concern, with some calling it a risky or irresponsible idea that could undermine trust in schemes like NSSF or private pensions.
However, recent actions by the government paint a mixed picture:
Ruto has signed laws improving retirement benefits in specific areas, such as the Judges' Retirement Benefits Bill (assented in March 2026), which guarantees pensions and dignity for retiring judges.
He has pushed for contributory pension schemes for elected leaders like governors and MCAs to secure their futures.
There are also positive notes, like making some pension/gratuity payments tax-exempt and streamlining processes for faster payouts (e.g., within 10 days in some cases).
On the flip side, ongoing phased increases in NSSF contributions (e.g., rising to higher monthly deductions from February 2026) mean workers are paying more into the system, while some reports note declining actual payouts to retirees despite surging contributions.