Sections of Civil Servants Demand Up to 50% Pay Rise, Give SRC 14-Day Deadline

Sections of Civil Servants Demand Up to 50% Pay Rise, Give SRC 14-Day Deadline

A section of civil servants drawn from key constitutional commissions and independent offices has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), demanding negotiations for a sweeping salary review that could see the lowest-paid workers receive up to a 50 per cent pay rise.

The workers, represented by the Kenya Independent Commissions Workers Union (KICOWU), are pushing for a structured salary increment that includes a 20 per cent increase for the highest-paid staff and a significantly higher 50 per cent adjustment for the lowest cadre, citing the rising cost of living and prolonged stagnation in wages.

The demand, outlined in a letter dated April 16, 2026, affects employees from 19 influential public bodies, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the National Lands Commission (NLC), and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei addressing the gathering at the 2025 Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association National Delegates Conference at Sheikh Ali Zayed Children’s Home in Mombasa, November 13, 2025.

“We propose a general wage increase of 20 per cent for the highest grade of the Union members and 50 per cent for the lowest grade of union members on a graduated application for the intermediate grades, effective from July 1, 2026, to reflect the rising cost of living and inflation rates,” KICOWU stated in its proposal.

The union further argued that many of its members have not benefited from recent salary reviews implemented across other segments of the public service, leaving them financially strained amid increasing economic pressures.

“Our members have not had a recent salary review like the other Public Service employees,” the union added.

Beyond basic pay, the workers are also seeking substantial adjustments to allowances, with proposals for house allowance increments ranging between 20 and 50 per cent, commuter allowances rising by up to 100 per cent for certain job groups, and extraneous allowances increasing by between 50 and 100 per cent.

The proposal also introduces a significant shift in leave benefits, with KICOWU advocating for the replacement of fixed leave allowances with a model equivalent to one full month’s basic salary annually for each worker covered under the agreement.

Healthcare benefits have also featured prominently in the demands, with the union proposing enhanced inpatient cover of up to Ksh4 million for Category B employees and Ksh3 million for Category C workers. The proposal further calls for expanded access to mental health services, including counselling, rehabilitation, and comprehensive employee assistance programmes.

“We therefore propose that the Employer review the Benefit to be commensurate with the prevailing costs for health, dental, and optical insurance cover for employees and their eligible dependants,” the union stated.

In addition, the workers are advocating for improved working conditions, including overtime compensation at one-and-a-half times the normal rate on weekdays and double pay for work performed on Sundays, public holidays, and designated rest days. Alternatively, employees would have the option to take equivalent time off in lieu of overtime pay.

The proposal also outlines broader workplace reforms, including the establishment of joint union-management safety committees, protection against unsafe working conditions, and mandatory annual training on workplace diversity and anti-harassment policies.

On matters of job security, KICOWU is seeking assurances that employees will be safeguarded against abrupt restructuring processes, with the union calling for mandatory consultation in cases involving mergers, acquisitions, or institutional reorganisation.

The ultimatum now places pressure on the SRC to respond within the stipulated timeline and initiate formal negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

If implemented, the proposed changes could significantly reshape compensation structures within independent commissions and constitutional offices, potentially setting a precedent for similar demands across the wider public sector.

As the deadline approaches, attention is likely to shift to the SRC’s response and the government’s broader position on wage adjustments in a period marked by economic strain and competing fiscal priorities.

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Sections of Civil Servants Demand Up to 50% Pay Rise, Give SRC 14-Day Deadline