Village elders in Kenya are set to start pocketing Ksh7,000 monthly allowances if Parliament adopts a proposal made by the Interior Ministry heralded by Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
On the sidelines of the Second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, Interior PS Raymond Omollo noted that there was a need to acknowledge the vital role of village elders in engaging citizens and facilitating decision-making processes.
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.
The Ministry, therefore, recommended a policy framework that proposed a phased implementation of a monthly allowance of up to Ksh7,000 for village elders.
A start-off stipend of Ksh2,000 per month is proposed, which is commensurate to the disbursement given to elders in the Inua Jamii Programme.
“Village elders play a crucial role in our communities, and it is essential that we recognize their efforts,” Omollo stated.
“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.”
If approved, the stipend is expected to benefit roughly 72,000 elders who operate across 106,072 villages in Kenya.
The Interior Ministry noted that village elders play a crucial role in grassroots governance by overseeing villages under the guidance of chiefs and assistant chiefs
Earlier, Kindiki told the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations that the Ministry acknowledged the critical services provided by village elders.
He, therefore, urged lawmakers to consider revising the National Government Coordination Act to designate a village as the fundamental administrative unit thereby empowering elders.
PS Omollo noted that the acknowledgment will formalise village elders’ considerable influence in the community and their active involvement in numerous public committees within their jurisdictions…CONTINUE READING>>
