SRC takes public participation on performance-based rewards for public servants to all 47 counties

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will hold public participation forums across all 47 counties this week to collect views on proposed reforms aimed at linking public servants’ rewards to measurable productivity and performance.

In a press release dated Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the commission said the forums would be held on Wednesday, October 21, and Friday, October 23, from 9am to 4pm at 10 regional venues across the country.

The exercise will bring together members of the public, public servants, national and county governments, other public institutions and the media to provide input on three policy instruments intended to strengthen productivity and accountability in the public service.

The instruments are the Draft National Productivity and Performance Bill, 2026, the Draft National Productivity Management Policy, 2026, and the Revised Framework for Recognising Productivity and Performance in the Public Service.

According to SRC, the proposed Bill seeks to establish a legal foundation for strengthening productivity and performance management, while the draft policy outlines a national approach to measuring, managing and improving productivity across the public sector.

The revised framework, developed by SRC, sets out mechanisms for recognising and rewarding public officers based on measurable outcomes, with an emphasis on transparency, evidence-based assessments and fiscal responsibility.

SRC proposes linking rewards to measurable results

The commission said the framework seeks to strengthen the relationship between institutional performance, individual achievement and the recognition of public officers.

Under the proposed approach, financial rewards would have to be supported by verifiable evidence, objective evaluations and demonstrated achievement of set targets.

SRC also said any rewards must be affordable and sustainable, warning against rewarding routine activities or the mere absorption of allocated budgets instead of actual improvements in performance.

The framework is intended to encourage innovation, accountability and better service delivery by ensuring that recognition is tied to tangible results.

The commission said productivity in the public service was critical to Kenya’s economic transformation, fiscal sustainability and the quality of services delivered to citizens.

It added that improving productivity required public institutions to make better use of human, financial, physical and technological resources to achieve greater value and better outcomes.

For public institutions, this would mean ensuring that expenditure translates into measurable results, services are delivered efficiently and equitably, and public officers are held accountable for their contributions.

Constitutional mandate

SRC cited Article 230(5)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which requires the commission to take into account the need to recognise productivity and performance in carrying out its mandate.

The commission said this provides a constitutional basis for linking remuneration considerations to measurable results while safeguarding fairness, equity and fiscal sustainability.

The public participation exercise is expected to give stakeholders an opportunity to raise concerns, propose changes and contribute practical, evidence-informed recommendations before the instruments are finalised.

SRC urged Kenyans and other interested parties to participate in the forums, saying their contributions would help strengthen the foundation for a more productive and accountable public service.

Where to submit views

The Wednesday, October 21, forums will cover five regions:

• Upper Eastern: Lowlands Hotel, Meru, covering Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Marsabit and Isiolo counties.

• North Rift: Poa Place, Eldoret, covering Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Turkana and Trans Nzoia counties.

• Nyanza: Acacia Hotel, Kisumu, covering Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu counties.

• Central: Regional Commissioner’s Boardroom, Nyeri, covering Nyeri, Laikipia, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga counties.

• Nairobi: Regional Commissioner’s Boardroom, Nairobi, covering Nairobi, Kajiado and Kiambu counties.

The remaining five regional forums will be held on Friday, October 23:

• Lower Eastern: Kyaka Hotel, Machakos, covering Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties.

• South/Central Rift: Sarova Woodlands, Nakuru, covering Nakuru, Baringo, Bomet, Narok, Kericho and Samburu counties.

• Western: Kakamega Golf Club, Kakamega, covering Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma and Vihiga counties.

• North-Eastern: Regional Commissioner’s Boardroom, Garissa, covering Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties.

• Coast: Pride Inn Paradise, Mombasa, covering Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu and Mombasa counties.

All forums will run from 9am to 4pm on their respective dates.

SRC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the recognition of productivity and performance in a manner that supports a motivated and effective public service while maintaining fiscal discipline.