SRC introduces new policy to end salary disparities in Kenya

A policy to guide remuneration of public sector employees will be ready within a month.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Monday indicated the document, which the Government wants to use to achieve an effective remuneration and benefits system, is in its final stages of development.

SRC Chairperson Sarah Serem noted that the commission will consult with the Executive arm of the Government today and thereafter hold another meeting with trade unions Wednesday to validate the policy.

"Unless we are anchored on a specific framework, it will be difficult to ensure that all public sector employees are satisfied that they are fairly, equitably and transparently compensated for their labour," Serem said.

Speaking in Nairobi Monday while officially opening a workshop to deliberate on the policy, Serem pointed out that the policy will seek to ensure the wage bill is sustainable and make the Government a competitive employer.

Wage bill

Kenya's wage bill as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product in 2013-2014 financial year was 12.6 per cent as reported by the National Treasury, compared to the average ratio of about 9.5 per cent for countries in Africa.

Serem further said the policy will emphasise on the need to recognise productivity and performance and ensure there is transparency and fairness in recruitment and promotion.

For years, determination of public sector remuneration has been undertaken by different bodies with varying outcomes.

Lack of a policy and a centralised institutional framework for pay determination has resulted to salary inequalities, perpetual agitation for higher pay, frequent industrial unrest and unsustainable wage bill.

Recent research finding by SRC showed that the remuneration of public servants is generally worse off than that of their private sector counterparts. Serem said future decision that will be made on remunerations will be based on the policy. "This policy is a living document and will be reviewed every five years to take into account the changes in the socio-economic environment," she stated.

She noted that the current public sector remuneration and benefits system is not aligned with the principles for the determination of salaries and benefits stipulated in the Constitution.

The SRC chair stated that the input of ordinary Kenyans will be captured in the policy. She pointed out that every six months, they will prepare a monitoring and evaluation report on the results of the implementation of the policy.