SRC Begins Process of Scrapping Hefty Allowances for Select Govt Employees 

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has begun the process of scrapping the non-practice allowance for employees in public service.

In a notice dated Tuesday, February 21, the government urged members of the public and other stakeholders to submit their views on the abolishment of the allowance before Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

According to SRC, the non-practice allowance should be abolished and cease to be payable.

“Subsequently, in accordance with Article 10 of the constitution, SRC hereby invites stakeholders and members of the public to submit written memoranda on the proposed review of non-practice allowance in the public service,” read part of the statement.

SRC chairperson Lynn Mengich listens to the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi on January 26, 2023.

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Rigathi Gachagua

In the statement, the commission directed participants to address all submissions to the Commission Secretary or CEO and a soft copy should be sent to info(@)src(dot)go(dot)ke and allowances(@)src(dot)go(dot)ke.

Additionally, the commission stated that views can be submitted through online platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

According to the commission, the non-practice allowance was paid to facilitate the attraction and retention of specific scarce, rare, and critical professions in public service.

“Where payment of the allowance is contractual, the payment will continue as a benefit to self. SRC will provide guidance on implementation on a case-by-case basis,” SRC argued.

Furthermore, the commission noted that over the years, the capacity and need for professional skills in the public service had progressively grown and filled the gap in which the non-payment allowance was payable.

SRC defended that the scrapping of the allowance was aimed at streamlining its management and administration to improve transparency, accountability, equity, and fairness.

In 2022, the commission proposed the scrapping of four allowances enjoyed by civil servants, including the retreat allowance, sitting allowance for institutional internal committee members, task force allowance, and non-practice allowance.

However, in January 2023, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) moved to court to halt the scrapping of non-practice allowance.

“I know that the purpose of which the non-practice allowance has been paid before still obtains to date – and that it is not true that circumstances have changed so as to justify its removal,” KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah countered.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union SG Davji Atellah during a meeting with President William Ruto at State House on February 14, 2023

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