President William Ruto has announced that village elders will now be receiving a Ksh3,000 stipend.
President Ruto stated that the salary will cater for the airtime and transportation to the relevant chiefs and assistant chiefs of their respective areas, as the government continues to align with its Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) to uplift low-income earners and improve the welfare of the population.
Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama Report meeting held at State House, Nairobi, on November 2, President Ruto stated that the measure will ensure even more effective security administration across the country.
President Ruto pointed out that the decision will be effective from June 1, 2026, after the revision of the annual budget.
“All village elders should be issued with an Identification Card and must be registered so as to alert the people of Kenya that they are working for the government.”
President Ruto added that security challenges are faced by a wide majority of chiefs and assistant chiefs all over the country, and the decision has been backed by several government organisations.
“I have spoken to CS Kipchumba Murkomen and everything is being planned. The village elders help a lot in informing our chiefs on the situation in the deepest parts of our country and offering them a monthly stipend will help them conduct their duties more effectively.”
Kenyan Law on Village Elders
Kenyan law currently addresses village elders under the National Government Coordination Act, 2013, but only indirectly.
The Act establishes an administrative framework for coordinating national government functions at national, county, and decentralized levels.
It recognizes Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs as part of the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), but village elders are not formally included in the Act as official officers.
Historically, they have served as volunteers without pay, and recent measures by the government seek to formally recognize village elders as National Government Administrative Officers.
The government aims to make the village the lowest administrative unit after a sub-location, and will allow the Public Service Commission (PSC), in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), to set a monthly Ksh3,000 stipend for the village elders.
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The government also plans to create a framework for their recruitment, qualifications, and roles, such as:
- Promoting peace and security.
- Maintaining a village incident register.
- Supporting Nyumba Kumi and community development.
- Participating in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
PS Raymond Omollo Highlights the Importance of Village Elders
PS Raymond Omollo has reiterated the crucial role of village elders in community engagement and decision-making during a consultative review at the Second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
He pointed out that village elders are instrumental in rural community development, contributing to awareness initiatives, dispute resolution, and the advancement of social services through programs like the Nyumba Kumi Initiative.
“Village elders play a vital role in our communities, and it is essential that we recognize their efforts,” said PS Omollo.
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“The Government, under President William Ruto, is committed to enhancing regulatory effectiveness and improving the provision of public goods and services, and village elders are key partners in achieving these goals.”
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