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Village Elders to Receive Ksh3,000 Monthly Allowance Under New Government Plan

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The government has announced a new plan to officially recognise village elders across Kenya by introducing a monthly allowance of KSh3,000.

The programme, which is being handled by the Ministry of Interior, aims to strengthen local administration and improve security coordination at the grassroots level.

Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security during the review of the 2026/2027 budget, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the government is targeting about 110,000 village elders across the country.

Omollo explained that the ministry has already prepared a policy framework that will guide the identification, registration, and duties of village elders. He noted that discussions about officially recognising village elders started in 2016, but were delayed due to consultations and planning.

According to the ministry, the Ksh3,000 monthly payment is expected to start in the next financial year if the policy receives final approval and funding from the government.

However, Omollo clarified that only verified village elders who are not benefiting from other government social support programmes will qualify for the allowance. This is meant to prevent double payment from state programmes.

Members of Parliament welcomed the move but said the amount should be increased because village elders play an important role in helping chiefs and assistant chiefs maintain order in communities.

Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the committee, suggested that the allowance should match what community health promoters receive because their work in community mobilisation is similar.

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya also called for stronger laws and proper structures to fully include village elders in the National Administration system.

Lawmakers noted that increasing the stipend could raise the annual budget to between Ksh5.5 billion and Ksh6 billion, but said further discussions with the Treasury and Budget Committee could still be held.

Many Kenyans have welcomed the proposal, saying it is the first serious government effort to formally recognise village elders who have for many years helped in community administration and local security without official support.