Extending partnerships into the civil society world

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) signed a Framework of Partnership on 2 May 2023, that will facilitate remuneration reporting and tracking of wage bill trends in the country.

The partnership was signed by Lyn Mengich, SRC Chairperson, and Peter Mwaura, a representative of the Chairperson of NTA. The ceremony was attended by SRC Commissioners, Anne Gitau, Commission Secretary/CEO, Irene Otieno, and NTA National Coordinator and her team.

Speaking during the occasion, Mengich said it was noteworthy that NTA’s willingness and open approach had largely contributed to the identification of the areas of partnership being concretised through the signing of the framework.

She added that both institutions had an interest in ensuring taxpayers got the best value for their taxes. Mengich also noted the eagerness and enthusiasm displayed by NTA to secure sustainable solutions to ease the burden of taxpayers in the management of the wage bill, saying that this was admirable and worth emulating by other stakeholders.

On his part, Mwaura said that the framework had institutionalised the partnership between SRC and NTA. He appreciated the quality of reports produced by SRC, and expressed concern that these had not been complied with by some institutions.

Through NTA, citizens would be provided with an avenue to articulate their position regarding the prudent management of the country’s resources.

SRC and NTA agreed to collaborate to enhance public awareness on public finance management and remuneration and benefits of State and public officers, for an informed citizenry.

NTA, comprising a membership of several civil society organisations dealing with governance, human rights and citizen empowerment, has been ardently advocating for prudent financial management of national and county funds, since funding is majorly sourced through taxpayers.

The framework of partnership, which has articulated several areas of implementation for the next two years, comes at a time when SRC is reviewing allowances payable in the public service and undertaking the third remuneration review cycle.

SRC and NTA have committed to collaborate on matters pertaining to fiscal discipline, fiscal justice, remuneration and benefits, creation of awareness on the national and county funds, supporting efforts of the government to improve financial management at the county and national level, among other areas of mutual interest.

The benefits of the partnership will also facilitate the realisation of the principles of public finance as articulated in Article 201 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and expounded in the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2012.