President William Ruto has introduced a package of benefits aimed at empowering village elders, recognising their vital role in grassroots governance and community service. The announcement came during a consultative meeting held at State House Nairobi on Tuesday.

Key Benefits for Village Elders

  • Monthly Stipend: Each village elder will receive a monthly payment of Sh3,000. President Ruto emphasized this is a token of appreciation for their dedication, not a valuation of their patriotism.
  • Social Health Authority (SHA) Coverage: Elders, along with their spouses and children, will be enrolled in the government-funded SHA health insurance scheme. The Treasury has been directed to allocate funds for this initiative in the upcoming budget.
  • Smartphones with Cameras: Elders will be equipped with smartphones to facilitate timely reporting and communication with authorities, enhancing their capacity to monitor and address community issues.
  • Training and Digital Literacy: The government will provide training to village elders to strengthen their leadership skills and improve their ability to use digital tools effectively.

Formal Recognition and Legal Framework

President Ruto stated that village elders will now be officially recognised under government policy, solidifying their status as key actors in connecting communities with government services. The Ministry of Interior has been tasked with preparing a Sessional Paper to establish a legal framework supporting these measures, to be presented to Cabinet and Parliament by December.

Government Support and Security Measures

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced increased funding for chiefs and assistant chiefs to enhance service delivery. Additionally, 6,000 officers from the National Government Administration Police Unit have been deployed to improve the security of government administrative officers across various regions.

Call for Ethical Leadership

President Ruto urged village elders to uphold fairness, reject corruption, protect vulnerable populations, and promote peace within their communities. He highlighted the importance of maintaining community trust as the foundation of their authority.

Significance of Village Elders

The President described village elders as the backbone of community cohesion, reconciliation, and guidance. Their grassroots reports are essential for informed government decision-making and the success of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The meeting, attended by senior government officials including Treasury CS John Mbadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Interior PS Raymond Omollo, marked the first nationwide gathering of village elders at State House. Omollo described the event as historic, emphasizing the critical role elders play in linking communities to government programs and fostering peace.