The National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill seeks to address this by recognizing village elders as National Government Administrative Officers
By James Were (MINA)
Throughout Kenya’s history, village elders have played a crucial role in grassroots governance. These elders, better known as headmen or ‘wazee wa mtaa’, are picked based on their tenure in the community, knowledge and familiarity with the area, integrity, and experience.
As the leaders closest to the people, village elders represent the government’s interests at the local level. They oversee villages and work under the guidance of Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs. 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 address this by recognizing village elders as National Government Administrative Officers, proposing payment of allowances as determined by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
The legislative proposal, which aims at amending the National Government Coordination Act of 2013 to recognize village elders in each unit officially, comes at a time when there are 9,045 sub-locations in Kenya and
During the Second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary (PS) for Internal Security and National Administration alongside Senior Security and Administration Officers from the Ministry of Interior, and representation from the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, State Department for Public Service, State Department for Performance and Delivery Management, PSC, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) 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.
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According to the PS, there is need to acknowledge the vital role of village elders in the society. He highlighted 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.
“Village elders play a crucial role in our communities, and it is essential that we recognize their efforts. The Government under 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,” Dr. Omollo said.
The proposed policy framework recommends a phased implementation of a monthly allowance of up to Sh. 7,000, depending on economic conditions, for village elders across the country. 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.
If adopted, village elders who have previously coordinated government programs without any allowance will be compensated and legally recognized as government officers. Their significant influence in the village and participation in most public committees within their territories will be formally acknowledged.
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