Michael Thoya Kingi takes oath of office as a Commissioner of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on December 1, 2025 / HANDOUTChief Justice Martha Koome on Monday administered the oath of office to Michael Thoya, brother of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, as a Commissioner of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Justice Koome emphasized the critical responsibilities that come with the role, noting that Commissioners are tasked with advancing Article 230 of the Constitution.
This includes ensuring a fiscally sustainable wage bill, attracting and retaining talent in the public sector, and promoting productivity through fair remuneration.
“As part of a governance-enhancing institution, you are called to uphold independence, transparency, impartiality, and accountability in delivering the Commission’s mandate,” she said.
Speaker Kingi also expressed his support during the swearing-in in Nairobi, wishing his brother well as he begins the new role.
“Article 230 of our Constitution establishes the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, comprising a Chairperson and twelve members, whose mandate is to set and regularly review remuneration and benefits for all State officers,” he said.
“I wish Hon. Kingi well in his new designation and express utmost confidence that the Commission will continue to discharge its constitutional mandate boldly, transparently, and accountably.”
The Commission is mandated to set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of all state officers and to advise both national and county governments on public sector pay.
The oath was administered by the Registrar of the Office of the Chief Registrar, Esther Nyaiyaki.
Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingoi and his brother Michael Thoya among others, during the swearing-in ceremony on December 1, 2025 / HANDOUT President William Ruto appointed Thoya as SRC Commissioner in a Gazette notice on November 14, 2025 to serve for the next six-years.
“Gazette Notice No. 16522. The Constitution of Kenya. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Act (No. 10 of 2011),” the notice read in part.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 230 (2) (b) (ii) of the Constitution as read with Article 250 (2) (b) of the Constitution and in accordance with the procedure set out in section 7 (13) of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission Act, 2011, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint—Michel Thoya Kingi, (Eng.) to be a member of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, for a period of six (6) years.”
By joining the SRC, Kingi becomes part of the team responsible for setting and reviewing pay and benefits for public officers across Kenya.
Kingi, an engineer by profession, had previously served as Member of Parliament for Magarini Constituency from 2017 to 2022 under the Pamoja African Alliance party.
He lost his seat in the 2022 general election to Harrison Garama Kombe of the Orange Democratic Movement.
Chief Justice Martha Koome and Michael Thoya Kingi when he took oath of office as a Commissioner of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on December 1, 2025 / HANDOUT
