President William Ruto has signed the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill into law, establishing a new fund to secure retirement benefits for judges appointed after the Act’s commencement.
Under the legislation, judges will contribute 7.5 per cent of their basic salary, while the government will contribute 15 per cent to the fund.
The President assented to the bill on Monday at State House in Nairobi, describing the move as a key step in strengthening the independence and welfare of Kenya’s Judiciary.
The new law establishes the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Fund, which will cater to judges appointed after the law comes into force.
According to President Ruto, the enactment of the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Act reinforces the Judiciary by guaranteeing retirement benefits and safeguarding the security of tenure for judges.
He noted that the legislation is intended to enhance judicial independence by ensuring members of the bench have a clear and structured retirement framework.
In addition to the pension scheme, the law provides a range of additional benefits for judges, including medical cover, diplomatic passports, and access to government airport lounges.
The President said the benefits recognise the demanding and sensitive nature of judicial service and are meant to support judges during and after their tenure.
The bill, National Assembly Bill No. 27 of 2025, has been under development since the late 1990s, reflecting long-standing efforts to align judicial welfare with constitutional principles on independence, remuneration and institutional support for superior court judges.
Officials say the legislation represents a major milestone in strengthening Kenya’s justice system by ensuring judges have access to predictable retirement benefits while serving in office.
It is also expected to enhance confidence in the Judiciary by reinforcing safeguards that protect judges from undue influence during their service.
During its legislative process, the National Assembly of Kenya facilitated public participation by inviting memoranda and feedback from stakeholders.
The consultation process allowed members of the public, legal experts and institutions to submit views that helped shape the final version of the bill.
To ensure transparency and accessibility, copies of the bill were made available to the public through the National Assembly Table Office and were also published online on the Parliament website.
The enactment of the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Act marks another step in the government’s broader efforts to strengthen institutional independence within the justice sector while improving the welfare of judicial officers who serve in Kenya’s courts.
