22 Apr 2026   The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called on journalists to cultivate a saving culture and take deliberate steps towards securing their financial future. MCK Director for Media Training and Development Victor Bwire said the unpredictable nature of journalism careers makes it necessary for practitioners to plan early for retirement. “Journalism is inherently unpredictable, and one cannot always anticipate when a career may come to an end. Plan for it. No one knows what tomorrow holds. Start saving for your retirement ,” he said during a media sensitisation training on retirement planning and pension reporting held at The Vic Hotel in Kisumu. Mr Bwire noted that many journalists often neglect retirement planning due to the demands of the profession, exposing themselves to financial challenges later in life. Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) Assistant Director for Research, Strategy and Planning Ben Kipanga urged journalists to take charge of their financial future through informed investment decisions. “Any assistance from your children is given out of goodwill. Avoid depending on them too much. Invest wisely and secure your own future while you can still earn,” he said. Mr Kipanga revealed that pension schemes in Kenya hold assets worth Sh2.81 trillion, equivalent to 16 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, with a membership of 4.1 million. He further highlighted the availability of diverse pension schemes tailored to different categories of workers, including independent media practitioners and content creators. MCK Manager, Board Services and Partnership Relations Stella Kaaria urged participants to extend the knowledge gained beyond the training forum. “The insights gained from this training should not end here. Journalists have a responsibility to cascade this knowledge to their colleagues and enhance the quality of reporting on retirement and pension issues,” she said. The training, organised by the Retirement Benefits Authority in collaboration with the MCK brought together journalists from the region to enhance their understanding of retirement planning, financial discipline and pension reporting. It also covered key aspects of the pension sector, including retirement benefits, the risk-based supervision framework, ethics, and handling of complaints.