Kenya government has formed a taskforce to review and kick-start harmonisation process of public servants’ salaries, remuneration allowances and benefits, with a view to addressing the current inequalities and ensure fairness and equity ministries, departments and state agencies.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku revealed that the taskforce will comprise the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development and the Public Service Commission.

The move comes against the backdrop of labour disputes by public university lecturers, doctors and threat by teachers to down tools.

“There is no reason why civil servants with the same qualification, for example, in ministries and state agencies are getting different salaries. There should be equity and fairness as per the Constitution. The principle of equity must be upheld,” Ruku explained.

The cabinet secretary at the same time assured that the government is addressing several issues affecting civil servants that include health insurance packages, workmen’s compensation on occupational injuries, as well as implementation of the public servant Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The cabinet secretary said the government has paid Ksh4.1 billion towards civil servant’s health insurance scheme, assuring that government workers will continue to enjoy health cover sustainably.

Ruku was speaking during the National Delegates Conference for the Kenya Civil Servants held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Nairobi.

Delegates from across the 47 Counties in the country converge to brainstorm on civil service reforms, welfare, motivation, justice as per the constitutional provision under Article 41 and the way forward in addressing matters affecting government workers.

The cabinet secretary said that the establishment of the taskforce was his moral and constitutional duty describing pay disparities as braking morale, motivation and general productivity of civil servants.

He, however, expressed concern over the issue of ghost workers, particularly at the county governments as well as employees claiming benefits such as tax exemptions, masquerading as people with disabilities (PWDs) without following due process.

Ruku warned that those culpable with such illegal claims, when caught would face dire consequences including arrest, prosecution and dismissal. The cabinet secretary assured that civil servants working in difficult areas will continue receiving their hardship allowances as well as guaranteed career progression.

Ruku commended civil servants for their dedication and professionalism in the service to the nation, urging them to always uphold diligence and integrity

Present were national delegates drawn from all over the country led by National Chairman Alisokor Mohamed, Secretary General Tom Odege and National Treasurer Abdi Malik Abdalla, among other officials.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mohammed Dahir