By Atieno Sysvoline
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sent shockwaves across the country after urging Kenyans to withdraw their retirement savings from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) immediately, claiming the safety of their contributions is no longer guaranteed.
Speaking during a public gathering over the weekend, Gachagua delivered a scathing critique of the government, accusing current leaders of mismanaging public resources — including retirement funds — and warned that contributors risk losing their savings if they don’t act swiftly.
“If you put your money in NSSF, do not wait,” Gachagua said. “Go on Monday and take your money. Do not say I did not warn you.”
He went further, alleging that the government is being run by dishonest individuals who are only serving their own interests, not those of ordinary Kenyans.
“These people in power do not care about you. They are only thinking about themselves. If you wait, your money may disappear,” he warned.
Gachagua’s remarks have intensified public anxiety at a time when many Kenyans are already grappling with a sharp rise in the cost of living. Escalating prices for food, transport, school fees, and rent have left citizens heavily reliant on personal savings, with the NSSF seen by many as a critical financial safety net for their future.
The NSSF, established to provide social security to Kenyan workers upon retirement, is funded through monthly contributions from both employers and employees. Gachagua’s call — “Usingoje. Enda Jumatatu utoe pesa yako” (Don’t wait. Go on Monday and withdraw your money) — has since gone viral, igniting fear and debate both online and offline.
In response to the growing concern, financial experts are calling for calm and caution. Analysts warn that mass panic withdrawals could destabilize the fund and worsen public trust in national institutions.
“While every citizen has the right to question how their money is managed, we urge contributors to wait for a formal response from NSSF and the government,” said an independent financial consultant in Nairobi. “Panic may hurt contributors more than it helps.”
As of now, the NSSF and government officials have not issued a public statement addressing Gachagua’s allegations, further deepening the uncertainty surrounding the safety of workers’ retirement savings.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, as economic frustration continues to mount and trust in institutions appears increasingly fragile. All eyes are now on the government’s response to Gachagua’s explosive claims — and whether it can reassure the public before confidence in the country’s pension system erodes further.
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