The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has unveiled plans to introduce sweeping reforms in the public service, including performance-based remuneration, a review of allowances, and enhanced payroll monitoring systems.
Speaking on Tuesday, SRC Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony said the commission is working with relevant government agencies to align compensation with employee productivity as part of efforts to improve efficiency and accountability across the public sector.
The proposed changes are inspired by international best practices and are expected to transform how civil servants are compensated and evaluated.
Push for Performance-Based Salaries
Chepkwony revealed that the commission is exploring a model where a significant portion of a public servant’s earnings would be tied directly to performance.
Drawing lessons from Singapore’s public service system, he noted that employees in the Asian nation receive a substantial percentage of their income based on measurable output and productivity.
According to the SRC chairperson, such a model rewards hardworking employees while encouraging greater efficiency within government institutions.
He explained that workers who exceed performance expectations would earn higher compensation than those who only meet minimum requirements, creating an incentive-driven work environment.
The commission believes the approach could help improve service delivery while ensuring taxpayers receive greater value from public expenditure.
Merit-Based Recruitment Under Focus
Chepkwony also reiterated the need for public institutions to strengthen merit-based recruitment processes.
He noted that existing government systems are capable of supporting transparent and fair hiring practices, ensuring that qualified candidates are recruited based on competence rather than other considerations.
The move is part of broader efforts aimed at professionalising the public service and enhancing institutional performance.
Review of Allowances
At the same time, SRC is progressing with a comprehensive review of allowances paid to public servants.
Chepkwony disclosed that the commission has already completed two phases of the exercise and is now examining allowances that are unique to specific institutions and job categories.
Under the proposed framework, SRC will assess whether certain allowances remain necessary or whether their value is already incorporated into an employee’s job grade and salary package.
The review seeks to eliminate duplication and create a more transparent compensation structure across government agencies.
Officials argue that streamlining allowances will help control the public wage bill while ensuring equitable remuneration for employees performing similar roles.
Centralised Payroll Monitoring
The commission is also collaborating with the Ministry of Public Service to ensure all public sector employees are paid through the Human Resource Information System (HRIS).
According to Chepkwony, the centralized platform will improve transparency by enabling authorities to monitor payroll processing and salary payments in real time.
The system is expected to strengthen compliance with government compensation policies while reducing irregularities in payroll management.
SRC says integrating all public institutions into a single payroll framework will enhance oversight and promote greater accountability in the management of public funds.
Aimed at Improving Public Service Efficiency
The proposed reforms form part of broader government efforts to modernize public administration and improve service delivery.
If implemented, performance-based contracts, allowance restructuring and centralized payroll monitoring could significantly change how public servants are compensated and evaluated.
The commission maintains that the reforms are designed not only to manage the public wage bill but also to create a more productive, accountable and results-oriented public service.
