Fresh concerns have emerged from inside the National Land Commission (NLC) after employees raised questions over changes to staff allowances, alleged irregular recruitment practices and what they describe as a deteriorating working environment.

Interviews with employees, together with documents including payslips seen by this publication, paint the picture of a workforce grappling with uncertainty and frustration over decisions that workers say have disproportionately affected junior officers.

The concerns come at a time when many Kenyans are already struggling with the rising cost of living, making any reduction in employee benefits particularly painful.

At the centre of the complaints are changes to house allowances.

According to employees, some lower cadre staff have seen their house allowances reduced by as much as 44 percent, while some officers in senior job groups are reported to have received increases during the same period.

Several employees claim they were never consulted before the changes were implemented and only discovered the reductions after receiving their salaries.

Workers argue that the reported changes have created a sense of inequality within the commission, with junior employees feeling they are carrying the burden of efforts to reduce the institution's wage bill.

Some staff members question why lower job groups allegedly experienced significant cuts while senior officers reportedly benefited from increased allowances.

Employees say the situation has affected morale across several departments, with many describing an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty.

Some claim staff are increasingly demoralised and fear raising concerns internally because they believe their complaints will not be addressed.

NLC Chief Executive Officer Ms. Kabale Tache is yet to present audited employee recruitment records covering the period from 2023 to 2026, despite a directive from the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Lands.

The delay has raised fresh questions about transparency in the Commission's recruitment processes, with lawmakers expected to scrutinize whether hiring complied with constitutional requirements on merit, fairness and regional balance.

At the same time, Ms. Tache has faced allegations that the ethnic composition data presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Cohesion did not accurately reflect the Commission's workforce. Those allegations have not been independently established, and no formal finding has been made against the CEO.

The public now expects the Commission to comply fully with Parliament's directive by releasing the audited recruitment data and clarifying any discrepancies regarding the composition of its workforce. Transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence in constitutional commissions.

Beyond remuneration, employees have also raised questions about recruitment and promotions within the commission.

According to several staff members, there is a perception that some appointments have not followed open and competitive recruitment procedures.

The employees allege that certain positions have been filled without public advertisement or transparent interviews, leaving qualified internal staff feeling overlooked.

The allegations have fuelled concerns about fairness and equal opportunity within the institution.

Some workers also claim opportunities for career progression have become increasingly limited despite years of service.

The concerns have now placed the spotlight on the commission's leadership.

Employees are calling on NLC Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache and Director of Human Resource Management Ben Bett to explain the reported changes to staff benefits and respond to concerns surrounding recruitment practices and employee welfare.

The commission has also faced parliamentary scrutiny in recent months.

Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Lands previously requested recruitment records covering the period between 2023 and 2026 as part of oversight into the commission's human resource practices.

Employees say they hope the review will help establish whether recruitment processes have complied with the law.

Labour experts note that employers are expected to implement remuneration policies fairly and transparently.

Any salary or allowance adjustments that disproportionately affect one category of employees without lawful justification can become the subject of labour disputes before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Workers say the situation is particularly difficult because employees of constitutional commissions do not have the same collective bargaining structures available in many other sectors, limiting their ability to challenge employment decisions collectively.

The employees are now appealing to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, and the relevant parliamentary committees to independently examine the concerns raised.

They say an objective investigation would help establish the facts, restore confidence within the institution and reassure employees that decisions affecting their livelihoods are being made fairly.

Below is part of the concern raised by employees.

"Hello Nyakundi, hide my ID,

House allowances for lower-cadre staff at NLC have been reduced by up to 44 percent without consultation, while some senior officers have received increases. Huyu mama anatubeba ufula. NLC CEO Kabale Tache and Director of Human Resources Ben Bett have killed staff morale, and many employees feel recruitment and promotion processes are no longer transparent. CEO Kabale has been seen hosting economic empowerment drives and making large donations in Marsabit County alongside government-aligned politicians while we suffer and sleep hungry under her watch. We are appealing to oversight institutions to investigate these issues before confidence within the commission deteriorates further." A source said