Village Elders to Earn a Monthly Salary as MP Pushes for Villages To be Gazetted as Administrative Units
Kibwezi West MP is seeking to bring a motion to the Parliament to compel the Government to recognize all villages as administrative units.
This means that the government will officially recognize village elders and pay them a monthly salary.
In a notice of motion yet to be tabled at the National Assembly, the MP explains that village elders serve the government at the lowest level hence their recognition is in the public interest.
He stated that despite the village elders serving the public and the Government, this goes against article 41 of the Constitution on fair labour practices.
The lawmaker said that Article 10(2) (b) of the Constitution binds state to uphold human values, including payment for work done.
Also, he highlighted that the CS for Interior, National Administration in consultation with the President and the Public Service Commission have the power to establish national government administrative units and appoint administrative officers to serve under those units through a Gazette notice
As a result, he wants the National Assembly to adopt the motion which will compel the government through the ministry of interior and coordination of National Administration to gazette all existing villages as administrative units in line with Section 14 of the National Government Co-ordination Act no. 1 of 2013.
Once the notice of motion is tabled, it will be scheduled for debate for the MPs to approve or reject.
In 2019, the MPs discussed the plight of village elders, making proposals on how they may be renumerated by the government with desirable packages.
Important contributions of the village elder that were noted included aid in dispute resolution, promotion of Education and handling of security issues.
The proposed packages, other than regular salary, are set to include provisions of free NHIF cover, uniforms, and modest offices in their respective areas of work.
The motion was tabled by then MP for Tharaka, George Murugara.
