President William Ruto has issued a stark warning to Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), declaring that embracing the "one-term" political slogan directly threatens their retirement pension plans.

In a direct and forceful address at the annual County Assemblies Forum, Kenyan President William Ruto drew a hard line regarding the political messaging and financial future of the nation's grassroots legislators. The President cautioned MCAs against joining the populist "one-term" bandwagon—a slogan gaining traction among voters disillusioned with local leadership—warning that such rhetoric is a self-sabotaging move that could derail their long-sought pension scheme.

This intervention highlights the delicate balancing act between populist political survival and the harsh realities of post-office financial security. For the hundreds of MCAs across Kenya's 47 counties, Ruto's message was clear: political grandstanding must not jeopardize the structural reforms necessary to ensure their dignified retirement.

A Regulatory Tightrope

President Ruto, deeply aware of the high turnover rate in county assemblies, articulated the severe financial distress many leaders face once ousted from power. He stressed that public service must carry inherent dignity, both during tenure and in retirement. However, he argued that adopting the "one-term" slogan sends a disastrous signal to the public, essentially validating voter anger and severely weakening the political goodwill required to pass the multi-billion-shilling pension legislation.

"If you embrace the one-term slogan, you will not get a pension. Kenyans are very keen; if they hear you claiming one term, they will start by removing you first," the President warned the gathered assembly members, urging them to project confidence and focus on service delivery rather than defeatist populism.

The Architecture of the Pension Scheme

Seeking to reassure the anxious legislators, Ruto revealed that negotiations with parliamentary leadership regarding the pending pension framework are in their final, advanced stages. He expressed confidence that a comprehensive legal resolution would be achieved within the coming months.

• Contributory Model: The new County Assemblies pension scheme will be strictly contributory, demanding a 7.5% deduction from the MCAs' monthly salaries.
• Government Matching: The state, acting as the employer, will match this 7.5% contribution, mirroring the structure currently enjoyed by Members of Parliament.
• Qualification Criteria: Under the proposed legal framework, MCAs will likely need to serve a minimum of two consecutive terms to fully unlock the comprehensive pension benefits.

This proposed structure aims to harmonize the benefits of county legislators with their national counterparts, addressing a long-standing grievance that has fueled numerous strikes and legislative boycotts at the county level.

Securing the Future

The President's tough love approach forces MCAs to critically evaluate their political strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections. The promise of a secure retirement is being wielded as both a carrot and a stick, designed to instill discipline and focus within the devolved legislative units.

"A dignified exit from public office is not a privilege, but a necessity for the integrity of our democratic institutions; we must build systems that reward service, not just political survival," a senior policy advisor noted.