The shift from compliance based supervision to risk based supervision of the defined contribution schemes in Kenya

Abstract

Risk-based supervision of pension funds grew out of a project that was jointly conducted by the World Bank and the International Organization of Pension Supervisors (IOPS). The project was initiated in response to the increasing interest in the development of innovative approaches to pension supervision from the member countries of both institutions. The project provides an initial assessment of the development of risk-based supervision of pension funds in Kenya that has been pioneering the development of risk-based supervision methods in various forms. A risk-based approach encourages supervised entities to place a greater focus on risk management in their daily operations, which promotes a stronger pension system and more effective outcomes for the members of the system. It is also expected that moving to a risk-based approach to supervision will enhance the ability of supervisors to focus resources on areas of highest risk, which will, over time, result in a more efficient use of supervisory resources.