Some 72, 360 village elders will be paid allowances as approved by Public Service Commission if a new Bill sails through Parliament.
The National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill 2022 proposes a monthly allowance of either Sh2,000 or Sh12,455.
The Bill, sponsored by Ruiru MP Simon King’ara, states that the allowances will be subject to an advisory by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Once the Bill is enacted, the village elders who have continued to coordinate government programs freely without any allowance will be remunerated and be legally recognised as government officers.
“Village elders will continue with coordination of service delivery to the citizenry in many parts of the Country. They will further help the National Government execute its mandate as given under the Constitution including security matters, banditry control, and also mobilisation exercises at any given time,” Kang’ara stated.
A village elder is a leader elected or chosen by village residents responsible for the coordination of security matters in the village, enforcement of government rules, and conflict resolution between village members among many other functions that promote the welfare of the community.
They play an integral role in the functioning of the national Government at the village level by assisting chiefs and assistant chiefs.
They also help in facilitating national government services including promotion of education and social services through the Nyumba Kumi initiative.
There are about 9,045 sub-locations in Kenya, each assumed to have eight villages.
The village is the smallest politico-administrative unit in the country/the smallest tier of the government's administrative structure.
Village elders are chosen from among community members depending on the length of time living in the community, knowledge of the community members, familiarity with the area, integrity, and educational level.
The chosen village elders command significant influence in the village and sit in most public committees within their territories.
