Interior ministry proposes compensation for village elders

Internal Security PS Dr Raymond Omollo during a past event in HomaBay with the Council of Elders.

Interior ministry has proposed compensating village elders to improve grassroots governance and community development.

Elders currently serve without pay despite their role in local administration.

In a recent address to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki called for amendments to National Government Coordination Act No. 1 of 2013 to recognise village elders as National Government Administrative Officers officially.

"The Kenya Kwanza Administration acknowledges the services village elders provide," said Kindiki.

"We need to support them through formal recognition and remuneration."

The proposed National Government Coordination (Amendment) Bill suggests providing allowances of up to Sh7,000 per month, with an initial stipend of Sh2,000.

The phased approach will allow the ministry to assess financial impacts and secure budgetary support from the National Treasury.

There are 106,072 villages across the country.

On the sidelines of the Second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo highlighted the need to recognise village elders' contributions to community development.

"Village elders play a key role in our communities," said Omollo.

"We need to recognise their efforts and enhance regulatory effectiveness."

The policy framework will address recruitment, functions and conditions for these roles.

If adopted, the proposal will formalise the role of village elders and their contributions to their communities.