SRC Approves Ksh3B Welfare for Covid-19 Medics

A medical practitioner dressed in protective gear at Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020
A medical practitioner dressed in protective gear at Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Medics leading the fight against Coronavirus will soon enjoy their welfare package after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) approve their welfare package.  

On Wednesday, May 6, Citizen TV was first to report that the commission led by Chairperson Lyn Mengich, had approved the Ksh 3 billion Covid-19 emergency allowance and benefits.

The tussle between governors and SRC had lasted for three months, as SRC argued that it would have been unlawful for governors to offer a special allowance without appropriate consideration.

An image of Lyn Mengich
Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chairperson Lyn Mengich in a press briefing on May 15th 2019.
Business Daily

"Whereas the commission is cognizant of the challenges faced by health professionals in the fight against Covid-19, it is concerned that due process has to be followed in the introduction of any new allowances by way of seeking an advisory from the commission as required by law," Mengich wrote to the Council of Governors led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in a later dated April 9. 

Oparanya responded on Saturday, April 11, faulting the SRC while defending counties move to offer incentives to the medics.

"Such incentives are key motivators to the health personnel who are overwhelmed during this period when all eyes are on them, to tame the spread of the pandemic," Oparanya averred.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua had decided to reward his county's medics an allowance ranging from Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 10,000.

However, President Uhuru Kenyatta, while addressing the media on Thursday, April 16, directed the Health and Public Service ministries to develop a welfare package to reward the health workers.

"Recognising the critical importance of health and the emotional needs of our medics, I am directing the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Service to develop a welfare package to cushion these frontline officers during this critical time, including insurance cover for their health requirements, especially those dealing with this pandemic," Kenyatta announced.

This directive signalled the end in the tussle between SRC and governors. 

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya addressing the media on March 16, 2020.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya addressing the media on March 16, 2020.
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