No work no pay, SRC tells State officers

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will not pay for lethargy in the civil service.

SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich (right) said the Commission would pay based on performance and that State agencies without a performance record would not be compensated.

“Other than broadly recognising productivity and performance, we are mandated to ensure equal pay to persons for work of equal value,” she said during the launch of the commission’s five-year strategic plan in Nairobi, yesterday.

Ms Mengich said the action was to ensure the wage bill was economically sustainable and that the public service only attracted and retained skilled people.

Backing her sentiments, SRC Vice Chair Dalmas Otieno said the commission had renewed focus on containing the run-away wage bill and that if State officers failed to adhere to deliver, the economy stood to suffer.

“Unless we return to emphasise performance and productivity, our competitiveness in the global economy will be greatly compromised,” he said.

However, Mr Otieno said inadequate funding stood in the way of the commission’s ability to effectively deliver on its mandate.

“Despite many achievements, the Commission is facing a number of challenges, including inadequate budgetary allocation,” he said.

Expounding on their woes, Commissioner Amani Komora said Treasury had dedicated Sh3 billion to the agency’s operations and that it was way below the expectations.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, however pledged to pursue the matter with relevant Government agencies to raise the allocation.