Civil servants gifted hefty pay rise in new deal

Civil servants are set to receive a 16-30 per cent pay increase effective July 1, 2017 in a new deal with the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between the ministry and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS), will see the lowest paid civil servants (Group A) earning a minimum of Ksh12,192.

In the event held on Tuesday June 27, at Harambee House, Public Service CS Sicily Kariuki commended the union for shunning street protests, a trend that has dogged the Jubilee administration.

“I wish to appreciate all the public servants for the role they play in supporting social economic growth and development of our nation. I also extend my gratitude to the Union of Kenya Civil Service for their goodwill and commitment to the negotiation process,” she said.

Housing allowance payable to all employees will be harmonized according to job grades across all the regions with effect from July 1st, 2018.

The CBA which is to be implemented over a four-year period, also introduces a health service allowance, nursing service allowance and risk allowance for veterinary personnel with the National Treasury allocating Ksh20 billion to implement the revised basic salary structure for the public service.

The chairman of the Central Negotiating Committee, Dr Jacob Omolo, cautioned against lack of adherence to CBA terms, adding that the deal would see an improvement in employee productivity.

“Signing a CBA is just one step. The most important step comes in ensuring effective implementation and continuous monitoring of implementation and improvement in productivity,” Omolo said.

UKCS secretary general, Tom Odege, applauded the agreement as an important step to harmonising salaries in the public service. He, however, appealed for government subsidization of a medical scheme for employees exiting the service citing greater need for medical attention post-retirement.

“We are in the process of introducing a post-retirement scheme to the current medical scheme. We request the government to chip in and ensure retirees get a well-oiled medical scheme,” he said.

Over 130,000 workers are targeted in the new pay deal.