Doctors challenge SRC suspension of revised county pay structures

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has contested the Salaries and Remuneration Commission's (SRC) decision to halt the rollout of new pay structures for county government employees. KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah criticized the commission for implementing fiscal responsibility measures unevenly, saying county workers should not be singled out to shoulder the costs of reducing the public wage bill.

According to Atellah, "We cannot have one National Treasury and one public wage bill, yet apply fiscal responsibility selectively when it comes to devolved workers."

In a letter dated September 11, 2026, the SRC suspended the implementation of three revised remuneration and benefits structures following discussions with the Council of Governors. The commission's decision was motivated by worries about county governments' capacity to manage the added remuneration expenses, as the majority of counties already have a wage-bill-to-revenue ratio exceeding 35 percent.

The SRC asserted that enforcing the revised structures under the current fiscal conditions would pose significant challenges to the affordability and long-term viability of the public wage bill at the county level. The suspended structures pertain to county executives, county public service board members, county secretaries, and county attorneys.

The suspended pay structures were announced by the SRC on July 30, 21 July, and July 21, 2026, respectively. The commission stated that the suspension would facilitate further consultations with the Council of Governors, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, and the National Treasury. However, KMPDU contends that the decision has implications for essential services provided by county-level workers.

Atellah emphasized that "Devolution cannot mean devolving responsibilities while withholding the resources and conditions necessary for workers to deliver essential services." He demanded that the SRC's concerns over affordability and fiscal sustainability be addressed through consultations involving all relevant parties, including the commission, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, and affected workers.

Atellah vowed that KMPDU would not stand idly by while county workers bear the sole burden of fiscal pressures, insisting, "The wage bill is a national responsibility. The dignity of workers is non-negotiable."