NAIROBI, Kenya- Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday presided over the swearing-in of Engineer Michael Kingi Thoya as the newest member of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), marking a significant step in Kenya’s ongoing public sector remuneration reforms.
During the ceremony at the Supreme Court in Nairobi, CJ Koome urged Eng. Thoya to uphold the constitutional mandate of ensuring a transparent, fair, and fiscally sustainable public pay system.
She highlighted the critical role the Commission plays in promoting good governance and prudent management of public resources.
“With this role comes the responsibility of advancing Article 230 of the Constitution—ensuring a fiscally sustainable wage bill, attracting and retaining talent in the public sector, and promoting productivity and performance through fair remuneration,“ Koome said.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has today sworn in Eng.Michael Kingi Thoya as a Commissioner of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). She noted that with the role comes the responsibility of advancing Article 230 of the Constitution-ensuring a fiscally sustainable wage bill,
The Chief Justice emphasized that the Commission must operate independently and impartially, free from political or sectoral influence, to maintain public confidence in its decisions.
Eng. Thoya joins the SRC at a pivotal moment as the body undertakes a review of salaries and benefits for public officers, a process that will shape Kenya’s public sector pay structure for the next four years.
His appointment also strengthens the Commission’s multidisciplinary expertise, which draws members from a range of professional bodies and institutions, as outlined in Article 230 of the Constitution.
The SRC, composed of a chairperson and 12 members nominated by constitutional offices, independent bodies, and stakeholder organizations, is responsible for setting and reviewing remuneration for State officers and advising national and county governments on pay for all other public officers.
The oath of office was administered by Esther Nyaiyaki, Registrar in the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
With the formalities complete, Eng. Thoya is expected to immediately engage in the Commission’s work to harmonize salaries, improve productivity, and stabilize Kenya’s wage bill.
