By Isaac Dan Onyancha
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is mandated to review public sector salaries every four years to ensure fairness and competitiveness.
However, its failure to adjust salaries for county government employees—especially in light of the recent upward review for national government civil servants—exposes glaring disparities in Kenya’s public service pay structure.
This selective approach not only undermines the morale of county employees but also raises questions about SRC’s commitment to equity across different levels of government.
The stagnation of county salaries is not just an SRC failure—it is also a damning indictment of the Council of Governors (CoG).
As the direct employers of county staff, governors should be the foremost advocates for their workers’ welfare.
However, their passive stance suggests either an unwillingness to push back against SRC or a lack of interest in prioritizing county employees’ financial well-being.
Unlike the robust lobbying efforts seen in national government workers’ pay adjustments, county staff are left without a strong voice in their defense.
Even more frustrating is the National County Government Workers Union, an entity that should be the shield and voice of county employees but has instead proven to be a toothless bulldog.
This union, which ought to be a forceful negotiator, has become largely docile and ineffective, offering no meaningful bargaining power for its members.
Instead of aggressively championing better pay and working conditions, it remains passive—incapable of mobilizing county employees or applying sufficient pressure on SRC and CoG.
Its failure is so pronounced that deregistration or a complete overhaul of its leadership may be the only viable solution.
County employees deserve strong, persuasive, and charismatic union leaders who are not just vocal but tough and genuinely committed to their cause.
Even more appalling is SRC’s glaring obsession with pleasing the elite class in the executive, legislature, and judiciary at the expense of the many lower-cadre workers who form the backbone of public service.
Hypocrisy
The recent proposal to increase MPs’ salaries by over Ksh. 300,000 each, at a time when ordinary Kenyans are reeling under the worst effects of government policies that have decimated their purchasing power, is a slap in the face.
It exposes a skewed prioritization where the well-off continue to thrive while those in the lower echelons of government service languish in financial distress.
The hypocrisy in SRC’s decision-making is undeniable—it swiftly moves to cater to the high-ranking officials but drags its feet when it comes to improving the welfare of county employees and other lowly paid public servants.
The recent salary increment for national government workers exposes a systemic bias in SRC’s operations.
If periodic adjustments can be made for some civil servants, why are county employees left behind?
This double standard not only breeds resentment but also disrupts the balance of fair remuneration in the public sector.
The government, both at national and county levels, must recognize that county workers are not second-tier employees but essential service providers deserving of equitable treatment.
The way forward is clear. First, the CoG must rise to the occasion and champion the rights of county employees with the same zeal seen in other sectors.
Second, SRC must be held accountable for its failure to execute its mandate fairly.
Third, the National County Government Workers Union must either be restructured to inject new, more capable leadership or be scrapped altogether for failing to serve its purpose.
If these measures are not taken, county employees will continue to languish in stagnation, while their national government counterparts enjoy consistent salary reviews.
It is time for urgent action to restore fairness in Kenya’s public service remuneration.
-Dan Bw’Onyancha is a Governance and Leadership expert and commentator
Disclaimer: Dan is a Director in charge of Civic Education and Public Participation in Nyamira County and these views are personal and independent and do not in any way imply the stand of my working station