Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has taken credit for the government's recent decision to pay village elders a monthly allowance, attributing the move to a motion he introduced in Parliament in 2022.
During the National Assembly debate on the 2026/2027 budget estimates on August 4, Mutuse highlighted that the government will provide over 106,000 village elders across all 47 counties with a monthly stipend of KSh 3,000. This announcement was made by President William Ruto after a gathering of more than 10,000 village elders at State House, Nairobi.
Origin of the Motion
Speaking from the parliamentary floor, Mutuse explained that he tabled the motion in October 2022, advocating for the formal recognition and remuneration of village elders. The motion was approved by the House, and Mutuse subsequently engaged the Budget Committee to assess the financial implications for its implementation.
He expressed satisfaction that the Ministry of Interior and the President had acted on the initiative, leading to the inclusion of over 150,000 village elders in the government administration system and the allocation of funds for their stipends in the current budget.
Rationale for Supporting Village Elders
Mutuse noted that many village elders are over 60 years old and operate outside formal employment structures. Their roles rely heavily on experience and community service rather than formal education. He welcomed the move as a formal acknowledgment of their contributions and urged elders nationwide—from Kwale to Garissa and Turkana to Kisumu—to continue serving their communities with dedication.
Additional Benefits Announced
Beyond the monthly stipend, President Ruto revealed plans to cover village elders’ Social Health Authority premiums starting January 2027. He also committed to providing them with smartphones to aid administrative tasks and increasing Administration Police deployment to enhance grassroots security.
The president framed these measures within the constitutional guarantees under Article 43, which ensures every Kenyan’s right to economic and social welfare, including health, housing, food, water, social security, and education.
