SRC suspends new salaries and benefits for county officials

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has suspended the implementation of newly reviewed remuneration and benefits for several categories of officials in county governments, citing concerns over the sustainability of county wage bills.

The suspension took effect immediately and affects remuneration structures recently issued for state officers in county executives, members of County Public Service Boards, as well as County Secretaries and County Attorneys.

SRC said the decision followed consultations with the Council of Governors (CoG) and its consideration of submissions made by the devolved units over the remuneration structures.

“The Commission resolved to suspend, with immediate effect, the implementation of the remuneration and benefits structures for County Governments,” SRC Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony said in a letter dated September 11, 2026.

The commission said the decision was informed by the financial position of county governments, noting that the majority currently have wage bills exceeding 35 per cent of their ordinary revenue.

SRC warned that implementing the revised remuneration and benefits under the prevailing fiscal conditions could have significant implications for the affordability and sustainability of county wage bills.

The commission said the suspension would allow further engagement between SRC, the Council of Governors, the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the National Treasury.

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However, the decision has drawn criticism from the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which questioned the basis of applying fiscal responsibility to county workers.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella argued that county health workers and other employees remain public servants who should have predictable and equitable remuneration.

“We cannot have one National Treasury and one public wage bill, yet apply fiscal responsibility selectively when it comes to devolved workers,” Atella said.

He called for the suspension to be reversed, arguing that affordability concerns should instead be addressed through transparent consultations involving the government, county authorities and affected workers.

Atella further said county workers should not be left to bear the burden of fiscal pressures, calling for their representatives to be included in discussions before any further decisions are made.

The dispute comes as SRC seeks further consultations with key institutions over the financial implications of the remuneration structures, leaving implementation of the July 2026 reviews on hold.

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