Interior and National Administration Ministry led by Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has put forth a national draft bill seeking to renumerate Village Administrative Elders.
The Draft National Government Village Administration Policy, 2024, is a product of constitutional mandates for decentralization and the National Government Co-ordination Act.
Primary objective of the Bill is to establish a formal framework for the recognition and support of Village Administrative Elders, who have traditionally served as volunteers without remuneration.
Village Administrative Elders, positioned as the government’s representatives at the grassroots level according to Interior Ministry, hold roles in overseeing villages, collaborating with Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs, and interfacing with the local populace.
Despite their indispensable contributions, these elders have operated without financial compensation, relying solely on their sense of duty and community spirit.
First and foremost, Village Administrative Elders are tasked with the administration of the villages where they reside. This involves overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the village, addressing community needs, and ensuring that local affairs are managed efficiently and effectively.
Additionally, Elders are entrusted with the responsibility of documenting and maintaining a register of village incidents.
This duty is essential for record-keeping purposes and facilitates the tracking of events and developments within the community over time.
Functions of Village Elders
Furthermore, Village Administrative Elders play a role in ensuring the security and welfare of the village population.
Collaborating with other stakeholders, they work to promote a safe and conducive environment for residents, addressing security concerns and community well-being.
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In addition to their administrative and security-related responsibilities, Elders are actively involved in the settlement of civil disputes at the village level through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
Moreover, Elders serve as sources of intelligence and early warning information, providing vital insights to relevant authorities through Assistant Chiefs.
“Village Administrative Elders are champions of community participation in governance processes. They work to ensure that the voices of villagers are heard and considered in decision-making, promoting inclusivity and accountability at the local level,” noted the policy statement.
Elders will serve as liaisons between the community and the National Government, maintaining open channels of communication and facilitating cooperation in various government initiatives and programs.
Consequently, in the discharge of their duties, Village Administrative Elders are expected to remain apolitical, ensuring fairness and impartiality in governance matters.
Call for Public Participation on Draft Policy
The Ministry’s call for public participation, reiterates government’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency in policy formulation.
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Stakeholders and the public are invited to submit their views and feedback on the draft policy through written memoranda.
Also, these submissions can be made via mail, hand-delivery, or email, with a deadline set for June 6th, 2024.
The draft policy document is readily accessible on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration website.
“This initiative represents a stride towards bottom-up economic transformation and the realization of Kenya’s vision for a safe, cohesive, inclusive, and secure society,” noted Kindiki in the statement.
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