President Ruto nominates Sammy Chepkwony to succeed Lyn Mengich at SRC! President William Ruto has nominated seven individuals to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), forwarding their names to Parliament for vetting and approval. This announcement, made on Tuesday by the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei, marks the next step in filling vacant roles within the SRC, an essential body responsible for determining salaries and benefits for public sector employees in Kenya.
Nomination of Sammy Chepkwony as Chairperson
President Ruto’s nominee for chairperson is Sammy Chepkwony, a seasoned human resource professional, who is set to replace Lyn Mengich. Mengich’s six-year tenure, which began in September 2018, concluded recently, leaving the role open for a new leader.
According to Koskei, Chepkwony’s nomination follows a careful selection process, where applicants were required to possess a university degree, ten years of experience in relevant fields such as public management, finance, administration, economics, human resource management, or labor law.
Koskei described Chepkwony as a professional with over 30 years of experience in human resources and organizational development, saying, “The nominee (Chepkwony) is an accomplished human resource professional with extensive experience, making him well-suited to lead the SRC.” Chepkwony’s extensive resume includes numerous roles that demonstrate his expertise and commitment to human resources and leadership.
Chepkwony’s Professional Background and Qualifications
Chepkwony, who currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of People Centric Management Limited, has an impressive career path that began at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), where he worked as a senior consultant. His experience spans various senior roles across multiple organizations, highlighting his qualifications for the SRC chairperson role.
Notable positions he has held include HR Director at Kenya Airways and James Finlay Kenya, Regional Human Resource Director at Aga Khan University, and HR Manager at Nairobi Bottlers Ltd.
Chepkwony’s educational background further underscores his suitability for the role, as he holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Human Resources Management and a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) in Kenya. He has also completed a Trustee Development Program and is a member of the Institute of Directors-Kenya.
Nominations for SRC Members
Alongside Chepkwony, six other nominees have been put forward as members of the SRC, each representing various sectors and organizations. These nominees bring diverse backgrounds and expertise, which will be vital in addressing the complexities of public sector remuneration in Kenya.
- Maj Gen (Rtd) Martin Kizito Ong’oyi is the nominee of the Defence Council. His background in defense offers a unique perspective on the SRC.
- Mohamed Aden Abdi represents the Senate on behalf of County Governments, ensuring county-level considerations are accounted for in SRC deliberations.
- Jane Gatakaa Njage is the nominee from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), reflecting the interests of the education sector.
- Leonid Ashindu represents the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA), adding professional insights to the commission’s work.
- Dr. Gilda Odera is the nominee from the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), offering an employer-centric view to balance public sector wage concerns.
- Dr. Geoffrey Apollo Omondi represents the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), ensuring workers’ interests are represented.
The inclusion of these nominees brings a well-rounded expertise to the SRC, given the variety of sectors they represent, from defense and education to professional societies and labor unions.
Forwarding the Nominations to Parliament
Koskei confirmed that President Ruto has formally transmitted the list of nominees to Parliament for vetting and approval. “The President has submitted the names of the nominees to Parliament for consideration and appointment,” Koskei stated. The next step will involve rigorous vetting to confirm each nominee’s suitability for the role, ensuring they meet the high standards required for public service and compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, which mandates integrity and ethics in leadership.
Expectations and Implications of the Appointments
These appointments come at a crucial time for the SRC, which is responsible for harmonizing and managing Kenya’s public sector salaries to ensure fairness and sustainability. As SRC members, these nominees will need a strong grasp of Kenya’s labor market, especially regarding income trends across both the private and public sectors. The SRC’s work is essential in promoting accountability and maintaining equitable salary structures across government entities, a challenging task given Kenya’s diverse workforce and economic conditions.
With Parliament set to review these appointments, stakeholders across the country await to see how the new SRC leadership will address pressing issues like wage disparities, fair compensation for public sector employees, and overall wage policy. If approved, the new chairperson and members of the SRC will be instrumental in shaping the future of public sector compensation and its alignment with Kenya’s economic goals.
Conclusion
The nomination of Sammy Chepkwony as SRC chairperson and the other six members reflects President Ruto’s commitment to revitalizing the commission with experienced professionals from various sectors. As Parliament undertakes the vetting process, it is expected that the SRC will soon be equipped with the necessary leadership to advance Kenya’s public sector wage policies, fostering a balanced and effective remuneration system in the years to come.
