Chairperson’s Diary – Mrs. Lyn C. Mengich, FIHRM, EBS

My overall journey has been one of gratitude for the privilege to serve the public in leading a very able team of Commission Members and the Secretariat to discharge the mandate entrusted to SRC by the great people of Kenya.

The citizens spoke clearly in the Constitution on what is expected of SRC. They entrusted SRC with their aspirations on how the revenue is to be shared to ensure that the spend on wage bill does not crowd out resources for development and other government priorities.

On the other hand, SRC is expected to ensure that the public service can attract and retain the required skills to executive the public service functions and to ensure equity and fairness in pay. To achieve these aspirations requires a balance in what seems like contradicting aspirations.

In balancing these dichotomies, the accomplishments made by SRC over the last six years culminated in the reduction of the wage-bill-to-revenue ratio, and a more equitable remuneration for public officers. Looking back, I see these as high moments. Like many journeys there are high and low moments.

The low moments emanated from resistance by some stakeholders towards SRC’s setting and advice that abolished some allowances, and the review of pay at lower rates than expected by State officers and other public officers. The resistance included challenging SRC’s decisions in court, negative media campaigns, and in some cases, lack of full adherence to SRC’s advice

A key challenge that stood out for me is the taxable car allowance for judges. Although the allowance was paid without SRC’s advice after the establishment of SRC, and whereas other State officers did not challenge the abolishment of the allowance, the abolishment in respect to judges was challenged in court.

This raises a question of conflict of interest. However, the courts heard the case and ruled that the taxable car allowance be paid to the judges. SRC has appealed the decision, and I hope that the public will not have to bear the huge cost associated with the courts’ decision.

Despite the various challenges, my motivation to keep going emanates from the desire to serve the public in a way that the greater good far out ways personal comfort. I chose to follow the path of courage to do the right thing.

It was clear to me from the onset that the role of a Chairperson at SRC is not a position where one seeks to be liked, but rather, to do the right thing per the Constitution.

The establishment of SRC and its mandate took away what other institutions were mandated to do before the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2010. For some, SRC constrained their push for more pay to their members or employees. There is always a push for more pay by employees, putting pressure on employers and trade unions.

Whereas these institutions desire for more pay, given the current economic realities and the current wage bill to revenue ratio, SRC’s setting and advice on remuneration and benefits has, by and large, been lower than the expectation of these institutions.

In a span of six years, the wage-bill-to-revenue ratio has come down and projected to reduce further. The implementation of the Third National Wage Bill Conference Resolutions will certainly result in the desired wage-bill-to-revenue ratio not exceeding 35 per cent. Hence, affordability and fiscal sustainability of the wage bill is indeed achievable.

My guidance to the Third Commission is that it should strive for excellence and be counted to stand by the Constitution. There
will be a lot of pressure to increase remuneration at the expense of the greater good of the country. My message is to keep eyes on the ball; the mandate of SRC. Walk the journey with other stakeholders without compromising on SRC’s mandate. I would like to be remembered for the courage to stand by what is right and for taking a collaborative approach in discharging SRC’s mandate. It has been a challenging and rewarding journey.

The achievements made would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my family and the many people who expressed their appreciation for the work done. Their words of encouragement to soldier on in the face of resistance was a motivation to stay true to the course, and deliver the mandate as expected of us by the people of Kenya.

I have been privileged to be entrusted with this service to the public together with the entire SRC team. We have made a positive
impact, but a lot more still needs to be done. I am handing over a steady ship to the next Captain to steer it to its next destination.