Former SRC boss questions proposal to increase judges’ pensions
By Cynthia Lodite, September 2, 2025Former Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chairperson Lyn Mengich has questioned the proposed bill that will see retired judges enjoy costly retirement benefits.
According to the former SRC boss, she questioned the timing of the proposal, citing the struggling economy and competing national priorities.
Mengich, who made her remarks on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, firmly stated that the judges must look at the current state of the economy and where the country is at.
“Even in the case of judges asking for a pension increase, we must look at the current state of the economy and where we are as a country,” she said.
Mengich also added, “At the time such a request is being made, what are the pressing demands of the nation, and what is the mood of the country?”
The former SRC boss also warned that the bill could open the floodgates for similar demands from other categories of public officers, challenging the fairness and sustainability of such a move.
According to Mengich, while questioning the bill, she also questioned why only the judges receive the hefty retirement package, noting that it goes against the Constitution, which upholds fairness and equity.
“It is true that once this bill is passed, other public officers will also demand the same. Why should it apply to judges alone? This goes against the Constitution, which upholds fairness and equity,” Mengich said.
Judges pension bill
Worth noting, on April 29, 2025, the Cabinet endorsed the Judges Retirement Benefits Bill, 2025, establishing a special pension system for judges of the superior courts.
Notably, the bill moves judges from the general Pensions Act into a tailored scheme, recognising the unique demands of judicial service.
Likewise, it introduces a defined benefit system for current judges and a defined contribution plan for future appointments.
The new law provides for enhanced retirement benefits, including monthly pensions, gratuities, medical coverage, and diplomatic privileges for retired judges and their spouses.
However, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recently rejected the move by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to review salaries and pensions for judges.
In a letter dated July 25, SRC Acting Secretary Margaret Njoka said the Commission opposed the Judges’ Retirement Benefits Bill, 2025, reaffirming its exclusive constitutional mandate to determine remuneration for state officers.