Why Government jobs will no longer be attractive after 140 allowances are scrapped

Government jobs are becoming less lucrative even as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission begins to reign in wastage both at the national and county government levels.

The commission announced Thursday a rather unpalatable move that will see to it that several government job allowances are retracted.

Speaking at a media breakfast meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, SRC chairperson Lyn Mengich asked civil servants to focus on productivity as opposed to the clamour for salary increase.

140 allowances to be scrapped

It emerged that over 140 allowances were being paid to civil servants.

On public servants doing business, Ms Mengich said civil servants should commit 100 per cent of their time in doing what they are hired to do.

“We will not continue to compensate workers for services not delivered,” said Ms Mengich.

Kenya Editors Guild Chairman Churchill Otieno said the media will continue to put government officers to task in order to deliver better services to Kenyans.

He asked SRC to provide information to the media. SRC Vice-chairman Dalmas Otieno regretted the wastage levels in counties.

Kenya Pipeline allowances scandal

February, 2019, the corruption-riddled Kenya Pipeline Company was on the spot over irregular payment of overtime allowances, according to a report of the Auditor-General tabled in Parliament.

The report indicated that the state firm paid overtime allowances amounting to Sh306 million to 1,080 staff contrary to the company’s rules and regulations.

Double payments

According to the report which was tabled by Majority leader Aden Duale, a further Sh97 million was paid to 231 staff who were already earning responsibility allowances.

Mr Ouko says a further Sh171 million that was paid to 164 employees exceeded 25 per cent of their respective annual gross salaries.

In some instances, the report said, the annual overtime allowances received by the employees were as high as 250 per cent of annual gross salaries payable.

More money than days worked

This meant the claimants worked for more days than was practically possible in the financial year.

Also questioned by the auditor was a Sh72 million, Sh9 million of which was spent on purchase of motor vehicle accessories such as chevrons, car mats, stripes, reflectors, life savers and key tags.