The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is facing criticism from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) following its decision to suspend the implementation of revised remuneration and benefits for county government employees.
SRC announced the immediate suspension of the reviewed pay and benefits structures for State and public officers working in county governments under the 2025/26–2028/29 review cycle.
The commission said the decision was reached after consultations with the Council of Governors, citing concerns over fiscal sustainability and the ability of counties to afford the revised remuneration packages.
According to SRC, most counties currently spend more than 35 per cent of their ordinary revenue on wages, making implementation of the revised structures financially difficult.
Reacting to the decision on Tuesday, September 29, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah criticised the suspension, warning that it would affect county employees whose pay had already been reviewed.
Atellah questioned why fiscal responsibility measures were being applied differently to employees working under devolved governments.
He argued that county health workers and other county employees are public servants who require fair, predictable and equitable remuneration to deliver essential services effectively.
The KMPDU official further maintained that devolution should not result in counties receiving responsibilities without the resources and working conditions needed to fulfil them.
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Atellah called for SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation and workers’ representatives to engage in transparent discussions over the affordability of the revised pay structures.
He said county employees should not be expected to shoulder the effects of broader fiscal challenges, arguing that management of the public wage bill is a national responsibility.
Atellah consequently called on SRC to withdraw the suspension and consult workers and their representatives before taking further action.
The dispute comes weeks after nurses ended a nationwide strike following negotiations with the Council of Governors.
On September 9, Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives Secretary General Seth Panyako announced the conclusion of the 43-day strike after the union reached agreements with the Council on several outstanding issues, including implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement within 45 days.
The Council of Governors subsequently announced an increase in nurses’ risk allowance from Ksh3,850 to Ksh8,000, alongside a Ksh5,000 uniform allowance.
