The National Assembly has approved seven members of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) nominated by President William Ruto two months ago, paving the way for them to officially take office.
The unanimous approval followed a debate in Parliament after the Committee on Appointments tabled a report endorsing their nominations.
During the debate, lawmakers expressed support for the appointments while cautioning the new commissioners against antagonizing Parliament, a challenge faced by the SRC under previous administrations.
The newly approved members include Sammy Chepkwony, who will serve as chairperson, alongside Martin Kizito Ong’oyi, Mohamed Aden Abdi, Leonid Ashindu, Gilda Odera, Geoffrey Apollo Omondi, and Jane Gatakaa Njage as commissioners.
Each appointee represents a specific sector, such as the Defence Council, county governments, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the umbrella body for employers, trade unions, and professional bodies.
The seven were among 20 individuals nominated by President Ruto for appointments to four commissions, including the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), and the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC).
However, while nominees to the other commissions were swiftly vetted and approved, the SRC nominations experienced significant delays. The Committee on Appointments sought additional time to scrutinize the candidates, leaving the SRC nominees in limbo as Parliament went on recess for the December holidays.
The approval process gained momentum in early December when National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah sought an extension to resolve pending issues. In a December 5 sitting, Ichung’wah requested an additional 14 days to finalize deliberations on the SRC nominees.
“This House resolves to extend the period for consideration of a special motion relating to the approval of nominees submitted by His Excellency the President for the appointment of the chairperson and members of the SRC by a period of 14 days starting December 11,” Ichung’wah stated.
The request was seconded by Minority Whip Mark Mwenje and approved by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
With their approval now finalized, Sammy Chepkwony and his team are set to take on their mandate, which includes overseeing remuneration and benefits in the public service while fostering harmony among key stakeholders.
