In a country where the social security fund only covered the formal sector, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) took a measure to ensure that everyone across the country is covered by launching the Haba Haba na NSSF solution in 2019.
The product is an informal sector product that aims to empower small and medium enterprises. The package offers a convenient way of addressing the needs of prospective, present, and future NSSF members in the informal sector while increasing coverage of Social Security to all Kenyans.
This is part of the reason why NSSF decided to work with Organized groups to reach a wider audience effectively. Haba Haba gives members in the informal sector a chance to save a minimum of 25 shillings a day with the option of withdrawing 50 percent of their contribution after consistent contribution for 5 years.
The product can be accessed on a phone through the USSD code *303#. Through this code, one can:
- Register as an NSSF member
- Register for the informal sector product (Haba Haba)
- Check their NSSF statement
- Make contributions and top-up their savings
- Follow up on Benefit claims
- Pay their Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) housing dues
To make it even easier, there are direct ways to achieve some of the functions on the USSD. They include:
- *303*1# for registration
- *303*2# to access the informal sector products
- *303*3# for the Tenant Purchase Scheme
Members can use the Haba Haba *303# code to access different products. For example, through the NSSF partnership with members of the Boda Boda Association of Kenya, operators can use the code to access pension, medical cover, and welfare at 60 shillings per day.
Market vendors, on the other hand, can access medical insurance from NHIF, Pension from NSSF, loans from KCB, and airtime from Safaricom at 100 per day. Digital taxi drivers can access the same services with the same amount as well.
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Conveniently, Haba Haba is also committed to the social protection of Matatu operators in Kenya, which are mostly run by youth. As such, under the NSSF’s ‘Haba Haba Nikujipanga’ product, matatu operators can now redeem their Bonga Points for NSSF savings and opt into any of the available packages.
If you fall within any of these categories, you can opt-in for Haba Haba na NSSF using *303*2#.
That said, Haba Haba Na NSSF provides for a holistic approach to Social Protection through the provision of a retirement benefit, social insurance cover, permanent disability cover, funeral expenses cover, and a sickness benefit cover. It is a handy package for people in the informal sector who are a critical mass that cannot be ignored.