Government proposes plans to provide monthly renumeration to Village Elders

Nairobi, 

Sunday, 11 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

The government has initiated plans to revise the cash allocation for the village elders who have been recognized as pivotal leaders in grassroots representation. 

However, Despite their integral role in facilitating services and assisting the National Government at the village level, they have traditionally worked as volunteers without compensation.

The National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill seeks to recognize village elders as National Government Administrative Officers, proposing payment of allowances as determined by the Public Service Commission in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The proposed policy framework recommends a phased implementation of a monthly allowance of up to Ksh. 7,000, depending on Kenya's economic conditions, for village elders across the country. 

A start off stipend of Ksh. 2,000 per month is proposed, which is commensurate to the disbursement given to elders in the Inua Jamii Programme. 

The policy framework also addresses concerns about recruitment of village elders. The framework covers various aspects, including terms of engagement, functions of village elders, recruitment criteria, remuneration schemes, termination processes, disciplinary actions, and conditions for vacating office.

According to the government, this approach will enable the Ministry to evaluate the financial impact and present it to the National Treasury for budgetary allocation.

CS Kindiki urged lawmakers to consider revising the National Government Coordination Act No. 1 of 2013 to designate a village as the fundamental administrative unit and outlined that once the Act is amended, the Ministry will introduce criteria for establishing villages based on population size, geographic area, and socio-cultural factors.

Currently, there are 9,045 sub-locations and 106, 072 villages in Kenya and the legislative proposal aims to amend the National Government Coordination Act of 2013 to recognize village elders in each unit officially.

If the reccomendation is adopted, village elders, who have previously assisted the government with coordination ar tge grassroots level, will receive an allowance and be legally recognized as government officers on special duty, given that their recruitment and retention criteria is different from the standard civil service framework.