Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the rising cases of employers deducting statutory contributions from workers’ salaries but failing to remit them to the relevant agencies, a practice affecting access to healthcare, loans, and retirement benefits.

Sifuna raised the matter in the Senate during a sitting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, seeking a detailed statement from the Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare on the scale of non-remitted deductions and measures being taken to address the issue across public and private sectors.

Sifuna seeks accountability on unremitted deductions

The senator called for urgent accountability measures to investigate and sanction employers who fail to remit employee contributions. He asked the committee to outline the extent of unremitted deductions within public service and identify sectors most affected.

“The accountability mechanisms in place to ensure that employers who deduct but fail to remit employee contributions are investigated, sanctioned, and compelled to comply,” Sifuna stated.

He also sought clarification from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection on enforcement measures aimed at ensuring compliance with statutory remittance requirements.

Senators cite county pension arrears

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana supported the concerns, citing a Senate Public Accounts Committee report indicating that Tana River County owes workers KSh 546 million in unpaid pension contributions.

Mungatana called for the Senate Labour Committee to summon Governor Dhadho Godhana to explain the delays and provide accountability on the pending payments. He further urged a detailed probe into the management of workers’ deductions at the county level.

Legal obligations and worker impact

Under existing regulations, employers are required to remit National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions by the ninth day of the following month. Failure to comply attracts penalties, including a 5 per cent monthly charge on outstanding amounts, legal prosecution, fines, or imprisonment.

The Retirement Benefits Authority can also demand repayment of principal contributions, accrued interest, and penalties from defaulters.

Employees affected by non-remittance face reduced pension savings, delayed loan approvals, and disruption of medical cover access. Workers are encouraged to monitor contribution statements through the NSSF portal or mobile application and report inconsistencies to the relevant offices.

The matter remains under parliamentary review as lawmakers seek measures to strengthen enforcement and improve compliance with statutory deductions across the labour market.