SRC threatens to abolish foreign travel allowances
Sarah Serem, the chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. The SRC will not interfere with agreements reached between employers and employees in the upcoming public sector job evaluation. PHOTO/PHOEBE OKALL/NATION
What you need to know:
- SRC will abolish allowances that lend themselves to misuse of public funds intended for the service of the Kenyan people
- SRC is undertaking a study on allowances payable by public institutions
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has threatened to abolish allowances that cause civil servants and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to misuse funds.
Citing unjustified foreign trips, SRC chairperson Ms Sarah Serem said Friday the Commission was alarmed by revelations of "frivolous expenditure" by public service officials and MCAs.
“The Commission is alarmed by revelation of frivolous expenditure on international travel, travel allowances and hiring of staff by MCAs.
“We are aware that there have been numerous expenditure and empirical data will inform our response in the public interest. If need be, we will abolish allowances that lend themselves to misuse of public funds intended for the service of the Kenyan people,” said Ms Serem.
STUDY ON ALLOWANCES
She said the SRC was undertaking a study on allowances payable by public institutions in Kenya.
The study will identify, document, categorise and analyse all allowances payable to officers in the public service.
The aim of the study, she said, is to help streamline the allowances, which have contributed to the ballooning of the public wage bill.
Ms Serem also questioned MCAs’ hiring of staff outside the remuneration structure set by the SRC.
She told MCAs that they have a critical role to play in implementing county legislation and must exercise responsibility.
“Public funds are provided in line with a commitment to serve. This is a provision that comes with responsibility,” she said.
