Your employer deducted NSSF, SHIF or loan money but didn't pay it in
Employment Act; NSSF Act; Social Health Authority · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Money your employer deducts for NSSF, SHIF, a loan or anything you agreed to must be paid to that body on time. Not doing so is a crime (fine up to KSh 100,000, up to 2 years, or both), and a court can order the employer to refund you and pay what is owed from its own money.
- Deadline
- NSSF: the employer must pay by the 9th of each month.
- Deadline
- SHIF: contributions are due by the 9th of each month.
- Where
- Your area labour office; NSSF (*303#, WhatsApp 0704 303303); SHA (0800 720 601); the Employment and Labour Relations Court
Steps
- Check whether your NSSF money arrived: dial *303# or use NSSF's WhatsApp 0704 303303.
- Complain to a labour officer at your area labour office, or file a case at the employment court.
- For a dispute about NSSF contributions, the law sends it to the Tribunal under the Retirement Benefits Act.
- For SHIF deductions, contact SHA: toll-free 0800 720 601 or complaints@sha.go.ke.
Watch out
- Late NSSF contributions grow by a 5% penalty for every month or part of a month they stay unpaid.
- If your employer doesn't pay SHA penalties, it is flagged non-compliant and its employees are marked inactive.
- Your employer can deduct only your NSSF share. Its own share must come from its own pocket, not your pay.
- For SHIF, an employer who fails without lawful excuse to pay the contributions it owes on time commits an offence under the Social Health Insurance Act: a fine of up to KSh 2 million, up to 3 years in prison, or both.
- Late SHIF contributions attract a penalty of 2% of the amount due for the period they stay unpaid (Social Health Insurance Act, s.27(6)).
Who this covers
- Any employee whose employer deducts money for a scheme, a law (like NSSF or SHIF), a written request or a loan.
Official sources (9)
- Employment Act, 2007 (No. 11 of 2007) labour.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- National Social Security Fund Act (Cap. 258, No. 45 of 2013) nssf.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Haba Haba na NSSF nssf.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- When are monthly contributions due? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- What is the legal basis for penalties under the SHA Act? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- How is compliance status tracked? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- How can individuals file complaints or seek assistance under SHA? sha.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Handling of Labour Disputes labour.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (No. 16 of 2023) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026