Village elders from Uasin Gishu County have every reason to smile after the County Government purchased uniforms for them.
The county has spent Sh10 million to buy uniforms for village elders to make them “more visible” in their areas of jurisdiction.
“The uniform is a symbol of authority and a form of identification. Our elders have continued to play a pivotal role in our societies,” stated Wilson Sawe, Devolution, and Administration acting Chief Officer.
He added that the elders were concerned that, each time they confronted illicit brewers, their clothes got torn and dirty.
County Assembly Majority Leader Josphat Lowoidefended the budget claiming, “Money for the uniforms was in the budget. One uniform is expected to cost approximately Kshs 800 and meant for all elders in the county.”
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo had sought to amend the National Government Co-ordination Bill so that elders could be recruited by the Public Service Commission but it was, however, rejected on the premise that it was unconstitutional.
In 2014, a Bill was proposed in the Senate seeking to recognise elders as public servants entitled to a salary.