Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has revealed that the government has put in place plans to recognize and remunerate Village Elders under the Nyumba Kumi Initiative.

Speaking when he appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, CS Kindiki said the Kenya Kwanza Administration recognizes that the Village elders offer essential services to the country thus there is need to support them through recognition and remuneration.

Prof. Kindiki appealed to the lawmakers to come up with an amendment of the National Government Coordination Act No. 1 of 2013 to provide for a village as the lowest administrative unit after a sub location.

“Once the National Government Coordination Act, 2013 is amended to include a village as the lowest administrative unit after a Sub Location, the ministry will come up with criterion of establishment of a village, considering the population, geographical area and social cultural factors,” explained CS Kindiki.

He said a policy framework on recruitment and remuneration of village elders will be developed to address among other issues the establishing terms of engagement, functions of village elders, criteria of recruitment, remuneration scheme, termination of engagement, disciplinary procedures, conditions and procedures for vacation of office.

The policy framework will also enable the Ministry to establish the ensuing budgetary implication which will be submitted to the National Treasury for allocation of funds.

CS Kindiki appeared before the committee to give his input on the Petition by the Secretary General, National Community Ambassadors Mr. Benson Nyaga Kagete who petitioned the Senate regarding recognition and remuneration of village elders under Nyumba Kumi Initiative.

The CS also gave his input on a Petition by residents of Kajiado East and Kajiado West Sub Counties concerning the rampant livestock theft in the region and Kajiado County at large.

Prof. Kindiki assured the legislators that his Ministry has beefed up patrols and surveillance to stamp out criminals stealing livestock.

He said all security officers have been warned against colluding with criminals as alleged assuring the committee that any officer who will be found engaging in the vice will be prosecuted.

Members of the committee in attendance were Baringo County Senator William Cheptumo (Chairperson), Kisumu County Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda SC, Isiolo County Senator Fatuma Dullo, Sen. George Mbugua, Kajiado County Senator Seki Lenku, West Pokot County Senator Julius Murgor and Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku

Senators Samson Cherakey and Miraj Abdillahi attended the meeting as friends of the committee.