The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has suspended, with immediate effect, the implementation of revised remuneration and benefits structures for several categories of county government officials.
In a circular dated September 11, the Commission said it made the decision during its 728th meeting on September 10, 2026, after considering submissions from the Council of Governors (CoG).
According to SRC, the suspension follows concerns over the affordability and sustainability of county wage bills, noting that the majority of county governments have a wage bill-to-ordinary-revenue ratio exceeding 35 percent.
“The Commission, at its 728th Meeting held on 10th September 2026, considered and deliberated on the submissions by the Council of Governors concerning the remuneration and benefits structures applicable to State and public officers in County Governments. In its deliberations, the Commission considered the constitutional and statutory principles governing the determination and implementation of remuneration and benefits in the public service, including the principle of fiscal sustainability of the public wage bill,” reads part of the circular.
The suspension affects remuneration and benefits under the fourth remuneration review cycle covering the 2025/2026 to 2028/2029 financial years.
SRC Puts County Employees’ New Salary Structures on Hold
The suspension affects State officers in county executives, members of County Public Service Boards, County Secretaries and County Attorneys.
SRC said implementation of the remuneration and benefits structures under the prevailing fiscal circumstances would have significant implications for the affordability and fiscal sustainability of the public wage bill at the county level.
The Commission said the suspension will allow further engagements between SRC, the Council of Governors, the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the National Treasury.
SRC further said that its decision was guided by the principles of affordability, fiscal sustainability and prudent management of public resources.
The Commission also cited Article 201 of the Constitution and provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, which require prudent and responsible use of public resources and fiscal responsibility in the management of public finances.
In a rejoinder, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Bhimji Atellah on September 29 criticized the SRC’s decision to suspend, with immediate effect, the reviewed remuneration and benefits structures for officers in county governments.
Atellah said the decision was concerning, arguing that the country cannot have one National Treasury and one public wage bill while applying fiscal responsibility selectively to devolved workers.
He said county health workers and other county employees are public servants who deserve fair, predictable and equitable remuneration.
According to Atellah, devolution should not mean transferring responsibilities to counties while withholding the resources and working conditions required for employees to deliver essential services.
He called for any concerns over affordability and fiscal sustainability to be addressed transparently and comprehensively through dialogue involving the SRC, Council of Governors, National Treasury, Commission on Revenue Allocation and affected workers.
“The decision by the SRC to suspend, with immediate effect, the reviewed remuneration and benefits structures for officers in County Governments is deeply concerning. We cannot have one National Treasury and one public wage bill yet apply fiscal responsibility selectively when it comes to devolved workers,” he said.
Also Read: Counties That Have Issued Notices to Workers on July Salary Delays
What Benefits Do County Employees Enjoy?
County officials in Kenya receive compensation packages regulated or advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The package includes a basic salary, determined by the specific office and applicable job group.
They also receive various allowances, including commuter, house, and extraneous or hardship allowances, where applicable.
County officials are also eligible for medical cover, which may include inpatient and outpatient services as well as maternity, dental and optical care.
Their compensation also includes retirement benefits, such as service gratuity, which, for certain contract terms, is calculated at 31 percent of annual pensionable emoluments, or benefits under applicable county pension schemes.
Eligible officeholders also receive facilitative benefits, including airtime allocations and access to official transport or car loan and mortgage facilities.
Also Read: SRC Gazettes New Rules to Govern Salaries of State and Public Officers
Salary Delay For County Workers
The suspension comes after several county governments, including Nairobi, issued notices to workers over delays in the payment of their two months’ salaries, affecting the devolved units.
The salary delays were linked to the late approval of county budgets, which had to be passed before counties could fully operationalize their financial systems and access funds for expenditure.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o noted that counties were required to submit their budgets by June 30, but some had submitted them after the deadline, with others doing so in August.
Nyakang’o also pointed to gaps in some of the submissions, including missing plans for settling pending bills, the Fiscal Strategy Paper, and evidence of public participation.
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