The government has proposed a Ksh 3,000 monthly stipend for village elders across the country in a move aimed at formally recognizing their role in supporting the National Administration.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, on May 14, told the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that about 110,000 village elders are expected to benefit from the programme under the 2026/2027 budget estimates.
“The conversation about village elders began in 2016, and the House actually gave directions to the ministry. It has taken almost 10 years to get us here,” said Dr. Omollo.
Govt Sets Conditions for New Ksh3,000 Village Elders Stipend Plan
Dr. Omollo said the Ministry of Interior had already developed a policy framework and identification criteria for village elders after years of consultations and public participation. He noted that discussions on the matter began in 2016 following directions issued by Parliament.
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Under the proposal, the stipend will begin in the next financial year if Parliament approves the policy. The PS said the allocated funds are expected to sustain the programme for almost the entire year.
“Our expectation is that we will be giving a stipend of Ksh3,000 to each village elder, and the amount that has been provisioned for will be almost enough to take us through the whole year,” he said.
The government also stated that only village elders not benefiting from other state support programmes, including the elderly social safety net and community health promoter initiatives, would qualify for the stipend.
MPs Push for an Increase in Village Elders’ Monthly Stipend to Ksh5,000
Members of Parliament, however, called for an increase in the proposed payment. Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo said the stipend should match what community health promoters receive.
Also Read: Govt Announces Plans to Pay Village Elders Monthly Salary
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya also urged the government to clearly define the legal and administrative structure under which village elders would operate within the National Administration system.
“I hope they are anchored within the National Administration structure. If that is the case, then I would support the idea that they need to have an enhanced amount to Ksh5,000, which would be reasonable,” said Kaunya.
Lawmakers said increasing the stipend to Ksh5,000 would raise the annual budget requirement to between Ksh5.5 billion and Ksh6 billion, but maintained that the proposal remains an important step in formally recognizing village elders, who have traditionally worked voluntarily alongside chiefs and assistant chiefs in local administration and security matters.
