BY BEAUTTAH OMANGA
Civil Servants who have been hit with the politics bug have less than two weeks to vacate office and venture into the country’s murky waters as then election day draws near.
As those interested in various positions created under the new Constitution ponder whether to resign or not, the Salaries and remuneration Commission ought to come to their aid in making up their mind by making public the salaries they will earn.
Some of those who have declared interest directly or under cover are still wondering whether they will earn as much as they are earning at their current job stations or not. While its a fact that some may just want to venture into politics to gain fame, others are genuinely intent on offering better leadership.
Scores are in various state organs where they are paid handsomely thanks to the massive taxes we pay. It will be in order if the Commission that came into office six months ago proposes salaries the elected pubic officers will earn.
The commission says it has spent the last six months to develop policies to guide it in its work. But how soon will the salaries for the six elective positions created be determined?
Kenya is notoriously becoming a rush by deadline nation and I will hate a situation where we are in a campaign mood without the taxes payers knowing the people they are electing will consume what percentage of the GDP.
The commission should have by now decided the parameters of determine which leader takes home what such that the electorate will either approve the salaries or challenge them.
Harmonisation of salaries will do, as it will also avoid situations where glaring discrepancies have in some instances led to strikes. In some cases there have been reports of sabotage because junior employees feel overworked and earn peanuts.
The Commission has indicated it will determine salaries after job evaluations. This poses a huge task to the commission for it means they will have to evaluate almost all Kenyans in various job grades. While that might be the best option, how for example will the Commission grade the performance of a senator who is coming into office in six months’ time given we are yet to see their work?
Ward representatives are taking up roles in expanded areas of representations. How will the Commission determine what they deserve yet they have not taken office? The sooner we know salaries for the six public offices we will be trooping to elect the better. Also bear in mind that too little pay yields corruption and bribery hence the need for balancing.
The writer is The Standard Group’s Regional Editor Nakuru Bureau.
bomanga@standardmedia.co.ke
