Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has stated that village elders will immediately receive monthly stipends as ordered by President William Ruto.
Murkomen made the remarks following Ruto’s meeting with the village elders at State House on August 4, 2026.
Monthly stipend
“Village elders have long played a central role in the affairs of our nation, helping build a cohesive society and supporting development programmes. They have done this without formal recognition or facilitation, a clamour that came up repeatedly during the countrywide Jukwaa la Usalama consultations,” Murkomen announced.
“In response, and under the direction of H.E. President William Ruto, we now have a policy that recognises and integrates village elders into the national governance system. Consequently, we have formally recognised 106,000 village units. The elders will now receive a monthly stipend effective today.”
Murkomen said that this is the latest in a raft of reforms to strengthen the National Administration and improve the efficiency of service delivery to Kenyans. He said other reforms include the training of chiefs and assistant chiefs, and a structured career progression framework to support their promotion.
“We have also begun deploying National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) officers to counties to boost security and support services at the grassroots,” the CS said.
Ruto meets elders, promises goodies
“Beginning today, every village elder will receive a government stipend. This is not the price of your patriotism or your service. Patriotism cannot be compensated; it is priceless. This is simply recognition of the work you perform every day in serving your communities,” Ruto said.
“As the nation honours you, serve every Kenyan fairly, reject corruption, protect the vulnerable, and promote peace. Your authority does not come from the government alone; it is built on the confidence your community has in you. Guard that trust because it is your greatest strength,” he said.
SHA, smartphone for elders
Ruto revealed his government’s move to acknowledge elders’ roles in the development of the country.
“These leaders should now return to Parliament so that we can complete three more things. Mr Mbadi, ensure these people receive their money. Every village elder and their children should be enrolled in SHA. Once we complete this budget, by January 1, they should all be under SHA and continue with their lives,” Ruto promised.
“They now understand digital services. Increase the budget a little so that each one of them can receive a proper smartphone. I am asking the minister to prepare a sessional paper so that we can enact a law. Many people do not believe these things are possible, but we will put them in law,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Principal Secretaries led by Interior PS Raymond Omollo, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga, Prime Cabinet Musalia Mudavadi and village elders from across the country
