State begins transfer of payrolls to counties

By ROSELYNE OBALA

Nairobi County: County governments will officially take over the management of staff payrolls this month, the national government has announced.

The Ministry of Devolution has confirmed the transfer of payrolls to counties that began on January 6, and was expected to be completed by yesterday. “We are currently co-ordinating the transfer of payrolls to counties. This will enable them prepare and pay January salaries in a timely manner,” stated Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

She said the Government had installed the Interpreted Payroll and Personnel Database (IPPD) system in all the counties and trained 219 officers on management of the labour force.

“All counties have confirmed that they are using the system and have established capacity to manage the payroll,” she said, adding that they had drafted a Human Resource Policy for management of staff seconded to counties.

“The guidelines also provide for terms and conditions of seconded personnel, training, discipline, pension, establishment and abolition of offices during the transition.”

She justified the transfer, arguing that the process is in accordance with the Constitution, which stipulates that devolved functions to county governments – with the exception of the payroll functions – should be transferred after six months.

“The retention of payroll functions for six months was to facilitate a seamless transition,” she said.

Rushed transfer

The CS explained that in a bid to ensure proper implementation, the national government began the process of developing guidelines, operational procedures and structures for the transfer of staff to counties.

She said these include provisions related to pensions, standardisation, terms and conditions of service, records and payroll management, and medical insurance.

But Kenya Union of Civil Servants Secretary General Tom Odege questioned the motive behind accelerating the exercise. Speaking to The Standard on the phone, Odege said their members were not opposed to devolution, however, the transfer was rushed.

“The whole process is being undertaken in secrecy. We were not given a chance to counter-check the records and ascertain the personnel data they have,” he said. “We fear our members will be disadvantaged and demand to have a look at the IPPD system.”

Waiguru added that her ministry anticipates broader consultative meetings with key stakeholders including the unions and other players by the end of this month.

But Odege termed the planned meeting immaterial, saying it should have been held before the function was transferred to the counties.