National Social Security Fund (Kenya)
The National Social Security Fund is a Kenyan government agency responsible for the collection, safekeeping, responsible investment and distribution of retirement funds of employees in both the formal and informal sectors of the Kenyan Economy. Participation for both employers and employees is compulsory. The fund is both a pension fund and provident fund.
History
The National Social Security Fund was established in 1965 through the Act of Parliament Cap 258 of the Laws of Kenya. It initially operated as a Department of the Ministry of Labour until 1987 when the act was amended, transforming the fund into a state corporation under the management of a board of trustees. Under the National Social Security Act of 2013, both employed and the self-employed and their dependents qualify as contributing members. The act on pension requires all Kenyans that are above 18 years of age to register to the program.The board of trustees is composed of workers' representatives through the Central Organization of Trade Unions, employers through the Federation of Kenya Employers and the Government of Kenya through the Ministries of Labour and Finance. This composition ensures that the board accommodates the views and aspirations of the three social partners in policy formulation and running of the organization.
Investment portfolio
The current National Social Security Fund investment portfolio includes fixed income, real estate, and equities.Fixed income
This includes short term and long term bonds. As of 31 December 2010, the investment in long term bonds was KSH 24.64 Billion.Real Estate
- Land - as of 31 December 2010, the undeveloped land owned by the fund was valued at KSH 7.86 Billion.
- Buildings - as of 31 December 2010, the buildings owned by the fund were valued at KSH 31 Billion.
- * Commercial buildings - these include the NSSF Building, View Park Towers, and Hazina Trade Centre which is set to be the tallest building in the region.
- * Residential buildings - These include Nyayo Estate Embakasi, Milimani Flats, Mountain View Estate, Hazina Estate and Nyayo Highrise Estate near Kibera.
Equities
- Private equities - the main private equity held by the fund is 11.2% of the issues share capital of the Consolidated Bank of Kenya. Others include the Nairobi City Council Stock.
- Listed equities - the fund is a leading investor on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, including in the following companies:
| Number | Investment | Industry |
| 1 | Kenya Power and Lighting Company | Electricity Distribution |
| 2 | East African Breweries | Brewing |
| 3 | British American Tobacco Kenya | Tobacco & Cigarettes |
| 4 | Kenya Electricity Generating Company | Electricity Generation |
| 5 | Bamburi Cement | Construction Products |
| 6 | East Africa Portland Cement | Construction Products |
| 7 | Kenya Commercial Bank Group | Financial and Banking |
| 8 | Housing Finance Company of Kenya | Financial, Banking and Mortgages |
| 9 | Sameer Africa | Tyre Manufacturing |
| 10 | National Bank of Kenya | Financial and Banking |
| 11 | Barclays Bank | Financial and Banking |
| 12 | Standard Chartered Kenya | Financial and Banking |
| 13 | Nation Media Group | Media |
| 14 | Athi River Mining | Construction Products |
| 15 | Kenya Re-Insurance | Reinsurance |
| 16 | Safaricom | telecommunications |
| 17 | Equity Group Holdings Limited | Financial and Banking |