The National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill seeks to recognize village elders as National Government Administrative Officers
Village elders in Kenya are set to take home a Ksh7,000 allowance should Parliament adopt proposals by the Ministry of Interior under Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
According to a communiqué released on Sunday, August 11, Kindiki told the Senate Standing Committee on National Security that the government acknowledges the critical services provided by village elders and emphasized the need for their support through formal recognition and remuneration.
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.
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.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo during an engagement with village elders. /INTERIOR MINISTRY
“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,” the statement read in part.
On the sidelines of the Second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration alongside Senior Security and Administration Officers from the Ministry as well as representation from the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, State Department for Public Service, State Department for Performance & Delivery Management, Public Service Commission (PSC), and Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), participated in a consultative review that focused on development of a framework for engaging Village Elders, including methods for their recognition and support.
The Principal Secretary emphasized the need to acknowledge the vital role of village elders in engaging citizens and facilitating decision-making processes, further highlighting their significant contributions to rural community development, including their efforts in promoting awareness, resolving disputes, and advancing development initiatives and social services through the Nyumba Kumi Initiative.
The PS noted, “Village elders play a crucial role in our communities, and it is essential that we recognize their efforts. The Government under H.E. President William Ruto is committed to enhancing regulatory effectiveness and improving the provision of public goods and services, and village elders are key partners in achieving these goals.”
The proposed policy framework recommends a phased implementation of a monthly allowance of up to Ksh7,000, depending on Kenya’s economic conditions, for village elders across the country.
A start-off stipend of Ksh2,000 per month has been proposed, which is commensurate to the disbursement given to elders in the Inua Jamii Programme. This approach will enable the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to evaluate the financial impact and present it to the National Treasury for budgetary allocation.
The policy framework also addresses concerns about the 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 the office.
If adopted, village elders, who have previously coordinated government programs without any compensation, will receive an allowance and be legally recognized as government officers on special duty, given that their recruitment and retention criteria are different from the standard civil service framework.
This acknowledgement will formalize their considerable influence in the community and their active involvement in numerous public committees within their jurisdictions.
