NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has opened a platform for public feedback on a proposed policy aimed at officially recognizing village elders as key figures in the nation’s governance structure.
The Draft National Government Village Administration Policy seeks to grant these community leaders legal status, outline their specific responsibilities, and ensure financial compensation for their roles.
The nationwide public participation forums will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at various locations across the country, allowing citizens to contribute their views on the landmark proposal that promises to transform grassroots leadership.
For years, village elders have served as crucial pillars in their communities—mediating disputes, fostering peace, and alerting authorities to security threats.
Despite their integral role, their efforts have largely remained informal, with little official recognition or government support.
The new policy proposes a framework that would integrate village elders into the formal administrative structure, offering them training, the necessary resources, and clear criteria for eligibility.
This move aims to provide a structured, well-supported system of village administration that complements existing governance frameworks.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has described the proposal as a “transformative milestone” for Kenya’s decentralized governance, emphasizing its potential to bring the government closer to the people.
“This will anchor service delivery at the grassroots while promoting inclusivity, unity, and sustainable growth. Recognizing the village as the lowest unit of administration is not just constitutional; it’s moral,” Murkomen said.
Principal Secretary of Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo echoed Murkomen’s sentiments, referring to village elders as “the invisible spine of Kenya’s internal security and social cohesion.”
Omollo stressed that these leaders hold significant influence within their communities and are central to decision-making processes that ensure the fabric of society remains intact.
If adopted, the policy will mark a significant shift, formalizing the role of village elders, compensating them for their services, and providing them with the support they need to help safeguard peace and foster development.
Public participation forums will be held in various locations across Kenya.
In Nairobi, residents from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties will gather at Pangani Girls High School.
The forums will also take place in Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri, Garissa, Mombasa, and other venues across the country, with citizens invited to share their thoughts on the policy.
