This archive report was first published on 11 May 2021.
Kenya's civil servants are set to face significant changes to their allowances, with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) announcing plans to cap these benefits at 40% of their basic pay from July.
According to SRC chairperson Lyn Mengich, the move aims to put a ceiling on the ballooning wage bill, which currently stands at Sh. 820 billion.
As part of the efforts to achieve the 40% cap, taxpayers will no longer be required to foot water and electricity bills for civil servants, as well as other 'unnecessary' allowances.
The SRC is also seeking to abolish various allowances, including those paid for attending retreats or conferences, responsibility allowances, medical and security allowances, and entertainment allowances.
Transport allowances will be limited to special cases, with public sector employees expected to use public service transport and claim reimbursement if none is provided.
Quarter per diem, paid to officers when out of the country, will also be affected, as well as areas designated as hardship postings, and non-practicing allowances for judges and health workers.
