In a notice dated February 21, the government invited members of the public and other stakeholders to give their thoughts on the allowance’s abolition by Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
According to SRC, the non-practice allowance should be abolished and cease to be payable.
“Subsequently, in accordance with Article 10 of the constitution, SRC hereby invites stakeholders and members of the public to submit written memoranda on the proposed review of non-practice allowance in the public service,” read part of the statement.
According to the statement, participants should address any submissions to the Commission Secretary or CEO, with a soft copy provided to info @src.go.ke and allowances @src. go.ke.
Furthermore, the commission indicated that opinions can be submitted via internet platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
According to the commission, the non-practice stipend was granted to help attract and retain specified specialized, rare, and vital public service professions.
“Where payment of the allowance is contractual, the payment will continue as a benefit to self. SRC will provide guidance on implementation on a case-by-case basis,” SRC argued.
Additionally, the commission noted that, over time, the capacity and demand for professional talents in the public sector had expanded, filling the gap in which the non-payment allowance was payable.
SRC argued that eliminating the allowance was necessary to increase openness, accountability, equity, and justice in its management and administration.
The panel proposed eliminating four allowances for civil officials in 2022, including the retreat allowance, sitting allowance for institutional internal committee members, task force allowance, and non-practice allowance.
However, in January 2023, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) moved to court to halt the scrapping of non-practice allowance.
“I know that the purpose of which the non-practice allowance has been paid before still obtains to date – and that it is not true that circumstances have changed so as to justify its removal,” KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah countered.
