Aisha Jumwa now says increasing civil servants salaries subject to availability of funds

Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa now says her ambitious plan to increase public servants’ salaries in the next 100 days is only depended on the availability of government funds.

Jumwa had on Monday announced that the government has planned to undertake a number of reforms to improve service delivery across the country, among them the said increment.

"The public service is demoralised in matters salary and other benefits and I think in my 100 days in office I will initiate the plan to increase salaries of the public servants," said Jumwa after touring the Nairobi Huduma Centre.

But on Wednesday, the CS appeared uncertain about the proposed plan owing to the tough economic times, saying she might be forced to shelve it if government funds will not allow.

“It is not secret that we are in the middle of an economic crisis, but as a ministry we have to do our work in suggesting salary reviews because it is our responsibility. If the money will allow, things will be done, if not, we will shelve it and wait for the opportune time,” said Jumwa during a tour of the Mombasa Huduma Centre.

The CS who assumed office last week said she is nonetheless determined to see through the plan as part of her legacy in the public service docket.

 “But the agenda is there and it must be done and I have given the assurance that I will initiate the talks to review workers’ salaries and lead the initiative,” she said.

Part of Jumwa’s new reforms in the ministry to boost the government’s service delivery include a review of the working hours for all the 52 Huduma Centres nationwide and an introduction of more centres. 

Launched in 2013, Huduma Centres act as one-stop offices where Kenyans can get services from different state agencies among them the National Social Security Fund, National Hospital Insurance Fund, Kenya Revenue Authority, and the National Transport Safety Authority.

During Monday’s tour the CS said 18 Huduma Ceneters nationwide, including the one at the General Post Office in the Nairobi City Centre, will now operate from 7AM to 7PM.

"Our plan is that every sub-county will have a Huduma Centre but because of the current economic times we are planning to have at least 100 in the next 5 years," she added then.