The Cabinet is set to consider a comprehensive report reviewing designated hardship areas across Kenya’s public service, following growing concerns from Members of Parliament over disparities in allowance categorisation among public servants.
This development was confirmed during a session convened by the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation to assess progress on implementing a House resolution that enhances housing allowances for teachers working in Kilifi Municipality.
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, Jane Imbunya, the Principal Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, revealed that different arms of the public service currently apply varying criteria when identifying hardship areas, resulting in major inconsistencies in remuneration.
According to Imbunya, the Civil Service, County Governments and State Corporations have designated 16 hardship areas, while the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recognises 44 and the Judiciary 21.
“These discrepancies have created confusion and dissatisfaction among public servants serving in the same locations but receiving different hardship allowances,” said the PS.
Committee Chairperson Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi MP) expressed concern over the disparities, questioning why teachers, who are part of the wider public service, are treated differently when it comes to hardship benefits.
“Why isn't there harmonisation of allowances for teachers and public service officers, yet teachers are also serving in the public service?” Wanjala posed.
He stressed the need for a uniform framework to ensure equity in the classification and payment of hardship allowances across all public institutions.
In her response, Dr Imbunya noted that a harmonised approach was already under development and that the Cabinet would soon deliberate on the matter to pave the way for a unified policy.
The issue arose during discussions on a petition that had triggered a House resolution for enhanced housing allowances for teachers in Kilifi Municipality, a matter that has since been partially implemented.
The Acting Secretary/CEO of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Margaret Njoka, informed the committee that housing allowances for teachers in Kilifi Municipality had already been harmonised under Cluster 3, effective July 1, 2024.
She further disclosed that the SRC would undertake a progressive review and harmonisation of all public sector allowances in the next remuneration cycle, which runs from the 2025/26 to 2029/30 financial years.
The Committee is now pushing for an expedited conclusion of the hardship review process, warning that continued inequality in allowances could affect staff morale, retention and service delivery in affected regions.
