This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, the World Bank urged Kenya to reconsider its hardship allowance for civil servants, citing a need to save Sh3 billion as part of cost-cutting measures.
The institution noted that many areas previously considered harsh to work in have developed significantly, making the special allowance no longer necessary.
Hardship allowances were initially introduced as an incentive to teachers and other public officers working in remote areas, compensating for the lack of amenities, infrastructure, and challenging environment.
However, with major infrastructure projects by counties and the national government opening up rural and remote areas to businesses and investments, civil servants posted to these counties now have access to almost the same services as their counterparts in urban areas.
A review of the hardship pay would help the government identify areas that are still lagging behind and free up money for other pressing issues.
While the calls to cut hardship allowances are justified, the exercise should be done with caution, considering that some areas might still lack essential amenities necessary for work.
