Passaris Urges Kenyans to Embrace Financial Literacy and Plan Early for Retirement

Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther Passaris has called on Kenyans to embrace financial literacy, entrepreneurship and long-term retirement planning, saying financial security is built through disciplined saving, strategic investment and continuous learning.

Speaking after attending the Parliamentary SACCO Financial Literacy and Retirement Preparedness Forum, Passaris said the discussions underscored the importance of preparing for retirement throughout one's working life rather than waiting until the end of a career.

The legislator singled out presentations by retirement benefits expert Dr. Edward O. Odundo and Prof. Ng'ang'a Gachara, describing their insights as practical and transformative. She said she was inspired to purchase four of Dr. Odundo's books to deepen her understanding of financial planning, entrepreneurship and strategic leadership.

According to Passaris, Dr. Odundo emphasised that retirement is a lifelong journey requiring deliberate planning, while wealth should be measured not only by income earned but also by what individuals preserve, invest and pass on to future generations.

She noted that the forum highlighted financial literacy, disciplined saving, entrepreneurship, strategic thinking and lifelong learning as key pillars of sustainable financial security.

Passaris also praised Prof. Gachara's presentation on leveraging SACCO products to build wealth, improve liquidity and generate passive income, saying it reinforced the need for Kenyans to make informed financial decisions that enable their money to work for them.

The Woman Representative further urged Kenyans to recognise and celebrate local scholars whose ideas continue to shape national development, encouraging citizens to embrace knowledge and apply it in their personal and professional lives.

She added that while Kenya may never achieve perfection, the country can continue making progress through humility, financial discipline, unity and collective commitment to nation-building.