1. Mandate & Function


Mandate of the Commission

As per Article 230(4) of the Kenyan Constitution, 2010,  the powers and functions of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) are:

  1. To set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of all State officers; and
  2. To advise the national and county governments on the remuneration and benefits of all other public officers.

In performing its functions, SRC shall take the following principles into account:

  • The need to ensure that the total public compensation bill is fiscally sustainable;
  • The need to ensure that public services are able to attract and retain the skills required to execute their functions;
  • The need to recognise productivity and performance; and
  • Transparency and fairness.

Additionally, Section 12 of SRC Act, 2011, includes the principle of equal remuneration to persons for work of equal value.

The functions of SRC are:

  1. Inquire into and advise on the salaries and remuneration to be paid out of public funds.
  2. Keep under review all matters relating to the salaries and remuneration of public officers.
  3. Advise the national and county governments on the harmonisation, equity and fairness of remuneration, for the attraction and retention of requisite skills in the public sector.
  4. Conduct comparative surveys on the labour markets and trends in remuneration to determine the monetary worth of the jobs of public officers.
  5. Determine the cycle of salaries and remuneration review upon which Parliament may allocate adequate funds for implementation.
  6. Make recommendations on matters relating to the salary and remuneration of a particular State or public officer.
  7. Make recommendations on the review of pensions payable to holders of public offices; and
  8. Perform such other functions, as may be provided by the constitution or any other written laws.
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SRC has powers to:

  1. Gather, by any means appropriate, any information it considers relevant, including requisition of reports, records, documents or any information from any source, including governmental authorities;
  2. Interview any individual, group or members of organisations or institutions and, at the Commission’s discretion, conduct such interviews;
  3. Hold inquiries for the purposes of performing its functions under the SRC Act;
  4. Take any measures it considers necessary to ensure that in the harmonisation of salaries and remuneration, equity and fairness is achieved in the public sector.

In the performance of its functions, SRC:

  1. May inform itself in such manner as it thinks fit;
  2. May receive written or oral statements from any person; governmental or non-governmental agency; and
  3. Shall not be bound by the strict rules of evidence.