A government proposal to pay more than 110,000 village elders a monthly stipend has reignited political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election, with supporters describing it as long-overdue recognition of grassroots administrators while critics are likely to question its timing and fiscal implications.
The proposal, unveiled during scrutiny of the 2026/27 budget estimates before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, would see each village elder receive Sh3,000 per month beginning in the next financial year if Parliament approves the policy and accompanying budget.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo told the committee the initiative seeks to formally recognise village elders, who have for decades worked voluntarily alongside chiefs and assistant chiefs in maintaining security, resolving community disputes and supporting government programmes.
"The conversation about village elders began in 2016 and the House actually gave directions to the ministry. It has taken almost 10 years to get us here," Dr Omollo told MPs.
He said the Ministry of Interior had already developed a policy framework and criteria for identifying beneficiaries following years of consultations and public participation.
"Our expectation is that we will be giving a stipend of Sh3,000 to each village elder and the amount that has been provisioned for will be almost enough to take us through the whole year," he said.
Dr Omollo said the government intends to ensure only village elders who are not already benefiting from other State-supported programmes, including the Older Persons Cash Transfer and the Community Health Promoter programme, qualify for the stipend.
The proposal has, however, acquired political significance as President William Ruto prepares to seek a second and final term in the 2027 General Election.
Village elders form the lowest tier of Kenya's administrative structure and are often the first point of contact between government and citizens in rural communities. They work closely with chiefs and assistant chiefs in implementing government directives, mobilising communities and resolving local disputes.
The proposed stipend would therefore formally place thousands of grassroots opinion leaders on a government-supported programme for the first time.
Supporters argue the move is long overdue because village elders have historically discharged public duties without pay despite playing a central role in community administration.
Members of the Administration and Internal Security Committee welcomed the proposal but said the amount should be increased.
Committee chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo said the stipend should ideally match what Community Health Promoters receive.
"We had nothing before, but maybe we should have put them at par with the Community Health Promoters," said the Narok West MP.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya also backed the initiative but called for a stronger legal framework and a higher payment.
"I hope they are anchored within the National Administration structure. If that is the case, then I would support the idea that they need to have an enhanced amount to Sh5,000, which would be reasonable," he said.
Mr Tongoyo acknowledged that increasing the monthly payment to Sh5,000 would significantly raise the annual cost of the programme to between Sh5.5 billion and Sh6 billion, but indicated Parliament could still pursue additional funding through the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the National Treasury.
"The President has already pronounced himself on this issue during a meeting with chiefs. It is a conversation we can still pick up if there is a way to enhance it to at least Sh5,000," he said.
The proposal comes as the Kenya Kwanza administration rolls out several grassroots-focused programmes, including affordable housing, universal health coverage, digital jobs and agricultural reforms, which it says are intended to improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.
Opposition leaders, however, have consistently accused the government of introducing politically attractive programmes as the country heads towards the 2027 elections, while arguing that many Kenyans continue to struggle with the high cost of living, unemployment and increased taxation.
The government has rejected such claims, maintaining that the village elders' stipend is the culmination of a policy process that began nearly a decade ago and follows recommendations previously made by Parliament rather than an election-driven initiative.
If approved by Parliament, the programme would mark the first formal State remuneration for village elders, recognising a cadre of local administrators that has historically operated on a voluntary basis while supporting the National Administration in security, public participation and delivery of government services.
