MP Wamuthende warns public servants as NSSF deductions loom
By Aloys Michael, January 19, 2026Mbeere North Member of Parliament (MP) Leonard Wamuthende has called on civil servants and teachers to ensure they deliver results, warning that the government should get value for every shilling spent on salaries.
The new National Social Security Fund (NSSF) payslip deductions are set to take effect in February 2026.
In an interview on a local TV station on Monday, January 19, 2026, Wamuthende urged public servants to focus on performance.
“As we talk about payslips, let civil servants and teachers also give the government value for money, so that we are not just paying salaries without getting the requisite performance in schools,” he said.
The MP’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the fourth phase of NSSF reforms, which will see mandatory pension contributions increase for higher-earning employees.
While the contribution rate of 6 per cent remains unchanged, the reforms expand the earnings base, meaning deductions for many workers will rise.
From February 2026, Tier I contributions will increase to Ksh9,000, and Tier II contributions will rise to Ksh108,000.
This means employees earning Ksh100,000 will see Tier I deductions of Ksh540, while Tier II contributions will amount to Ksh5,460. Combined with employer contributions, monthly retirement savings for such employees will reach Ksh12,000.
For top earners, the effect is more pronounced. Employees earning Ksh200,000 will have a total deduction of Ksh6,480, with employer matching bringing total contributions to Ksh12,960 per month.
What are the effects?
Workers earning below Ksh50,000 will not be affected, while those above Ksh75,000 will see noticeable reductions in take-home pay.
Wamuthende’s comments come amid growing public scrutiny of civil service efficiency as Kenya faces a public debt threat, which has led to stricter remittance rules for NSSF contributions.
The lawmaker emphasised that salary payments should translate into tangible outcomes, particularly in education.
PHOTO/Pexels
“Let teachers and other public servants show results that justify their pay,” MP Wamuthende said.
The NSSF two-tier system, introduced under the 2013 Act, separates mandatory basic pension savings (Tier I) from higher-value contributions (Tier II). Employees enrolled in approved private pension schemes may adjust contributions under RBA-approved guidelines to limit the impact on take-home pay.
Financial experts have noted reforms have already expanded NSSF’s assets to Ksh558 billion by June 2025, with annual inflows projected to exceed Ksh100 billion following the 2026 changes.
However, they warn that stricter deductions and remittance deadlines will affect higher earners the most, increasing the need for careful financial planning.