Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse is seeking a motion in parliament to have village elders paid monthly salary.
Mutuse’s motion is looking to compel the National Government to gazette all existing villages as administrative units.
Moreover, in the notice of motion which is yet to be tabled at the National Assembly, the Kibwezi MP explains that village elders interact with wananchi at the lowest level hence their recognition is in the public interest.
“The village is not formally recognized as an administrative unit under section 14 of the National Government Co-Ordination Act no.1 of 2013,” Mutuse stated.
Furthermore, the legislator noted that despite the village elders offering services to the public and the Government, they are not remunerated contrary to article 41 of the Constitution on fair labor practices.
Mutuse further cited Article 10(2) (b) of the Constitution which binds state organs and state officers to uphold human dignity, which includes being remunerated for work done.
Moreover, the Kibwezi member of parliament also highlighted that the CS for Interior, National Administration in consultation with the President and the Public Service Commission have the power to establish national government administrative units as well as appointing administrative officers to serve under those units through a Gazette notice
Therefore, Mutuse wants the National Assembly to adopt the motion which will compel the government through the ministry of interior and coordination of National Administration to gazette all existing villages as administrative units in line with Section 14 of the National Government Co-ordination Act no. 1 of 2013.
Nonetheless, once the notice is tabled, the motion will be scheduled for debate for the MPs to approve or reject.
Likewise, MPs in 2019 discussed the plight of village elders, making proposals on how they may be remunerated by the government with desirable packages.
Some of the roles of village elders noted during the discussion included aid in dispute resolution and facilitation of national government services like the promotion of education, and handling of security issues via initiatives like Nyumba Kumi.
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The MPs proposed that other than regular salary, the village elders should be provided with free NHIF cover, uniforms, and modest offices in their respective areas of work.
Moreover, the motion was tabled by MP for Tharaka, George Murugara.
