Ruto signs Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill into law
By Mustafa Juma, March 9, 2026President William Ruto has assented to the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill at State House, Nairobi.
Taking to his official X account on Monday, March 9, 2026, Ruto said that the enactment of the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Act would strengthen the judiciary.
According to Ruto, the Act will also reinforce the Judiciary’s independence by guaranteeing retirement benefits and safeguarding security of tenure.
“The enactment of the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Act strengthens the judiciary and reinforces its independence by guaranteeing retirement benefits and safeguarding security of tenure,” Ruto stated.
He went ahead to note that the new law will establish a Judges’ Retirement Benefits Fund for judges appointed after the commencement of the act.
Under the said law, the judges will be required to contribute 7.5 per cent of their basic salary, and the government will contribute 15 per cent.
“The new law establishes a Judges’ Retirement Benefits Fund for judges appointed after the commencement of the Act, with judges contributing 7.5 per cent of their basic salary and the Government contributing 15 per cent,” the Head of State noted.
The law also provides additional benefits, including medical cover, diplomatic passports, and access to government airport lounges, recognising the demanding nature of judicial service.
JSC, SRC standoff
Efforts to pass the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill 2025 had previously stalled as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) clashed over jurisdiction and fiscal concerns.
While the JSC pushed MPs to fast-track the passage of the Bill, the SRC said some clauses encroach on its mandate.
In a brief submitted to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) of the National Assembly in January 2026, JSC Vice Chairperson Isaac Rutto acknowledged delays in the enactment of the Bill, saying it was denying retired judges fair compensation in line with rising living costs.
“The Bill seeks to establish a dedicated pension framework for judges of the superior courts, providing for annual pension adjustments pegged at 5 per cent,” the CIOC report read.
The Bill was sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party.
The superior courts include the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, and any courts with the status of the High Court.