NAIROBI, Kenya — The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is facing pressure from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) over its decision to suspend the implementation of reviewed remuneration and benefits for county government employees.
SRC suspended, with immediate effect, the implementation of the remuneration and benefits structures for State and public officers in county governments under the 2025/26–2028/29 review cycle.
The commission said the decision followed consultations with the Council of Governors and was driven by concerns over fiscal sustainability and the affordability of the public wage bill.
According to SRC, most counties currently have wage bills exceeding 35 per cent of their ordinary revenue, making it difficult for them to implement the revised remuneration and benefits structures.
KMPDU Challenges SRC Decision
In a statement on Tuesday, September 29, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah criticised the suspension, saying it would affect county employees whose remuneration had already been reviewed.
Atellah questioned the application of fiscal responsibility measures to county workers, arguing that employees serving under devolved governments should receive equitable treatment.
“We cannot have one National Treasury and one public wage bill, yet apply fiscal responsibility selectively when it comes to devolved workers,” Atellah said.
He said county health workers and other employees were entitled to fair and predictable remuneration to enable them to deliver public services effectively.
“County health workers and other county employees are public servants who deserve fair, predictable and equitable remuneration. Devolution cannot mean devolving responsibilities while withholding the resources and conditions necessary for workers to deliver essential services,” he added.
Union Demands Dialogue
Atellah called for transparency and consultations among institutions responsible for public finance, remuneration and devolution if there are concerns over the affordability of the revised pay structures.
He said discussions should involve SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and affected workers.
“If there are genuine concerns about affordability and fiscal sustainability, then let those concerns be addressed transparently and comprehensively through dialogue involving SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, CRA and the affected workers,” he said.
The KMPDU official also rejected what he described as shifting the burden of wider fiscal pressures to county employees.
“We will not sit back as county workers are asked to carry the burden of fiscal pressures alone. The wage bill is a national responsibility. The dignity of workers is non-negotiable,” Atellah said.
He called on SRC to immediately reverse the suspension and engage workers and their representatives before taking further action.
Suspension Follows County Wage Concerns
SRC’s decision affects the reviewed remuneration and benefits structures covering county government officers during the current review cycle.
The commission has cited the financial position of counties and the need to ensure that public wage costs remain sustainable.
The latest dispute comes weeks after nurses called off a nationwide strike following discussions with the Council of Governors.
The KMPDU now wants the institutions responsible for remuneration, county financing and public expenditure to address the concerns through consultations rather than suspending the reviewed pay structures.
