Pay day for village elders on the way

By Alex Ndegwa

Village elders could draw salaries for volunteering their services if Parliament amends the Chief’s Authority Act.

The new Bill seeks to give the elders statutory recognition. The Chiefs’ (Amendment), Bill 2009 seeks a provision for remunerating village elders.

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa introduced the Bill, after successfully moving a Motion in the House last year, proposing to set aside Sh1.2 billion to pay headmen.

Parliament allowed him to introduce the Bill after concerns that the elders do not get any form of payment, despite their crucial role at the grassroots.

Their work entails dispute resolution, mobilising residents for meetings, disseminating information on behalf of the Government, informing authorities of local occurrence and helping identify criminals.

The 1999 census shows the elders are spread in 6,612 sub-locations.

The Bill states that those serving as village elders, will be absorbed when the Act becomes operational "but subsequent appointments shall be made in accordance with the Act."

Elders census

And to avoid abuse of the provision to irregularly hire new officials, the Bill requires that within 30 days of its enactment, there will be a census of all village elders.

According to the Bill, the elders will work under the direction and authority of the chief, who will recruit them, through the assistant chief.

"The remuneration and terms of service of a person employed under the proposed legislation shall be from public funds as determined by the Minister in consultation with the Treasury," it says.

Besides creating offices of village headpersons and their remuneration, the Bill also provides requirements for appointment, criteria to be followed while filling positions and removal from office.