SRC and PSC resolve to put aside long-standing supremacy wars

In a move that could reshape the public service, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) have put aside their long-standing differences in managing the country’s public sector finances.

For years, tensions simmered between the two commissions over issues such as the ever-growing wage bill and the misuse of public funds.

However, in a closed-door meeting yesterday led by Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, the two bodies have now pledged to work together in ensuring public funds are used efficiently.

“We came to have a discussion to see how we can harmonise plans going forward since they are serving the same public service and we have looked at issues like productivity that we need to focus more,” said Koskei.

He noted that among the issues discussed include how to manage the ballooning wage bill.

“We also want to ensure that we have an efficient public service that is responsive to the citizens and to the business community at large,” added Koskei.

“The two commissions are joined at the hip because they are serving public servants. One is recruiting while the other one is reviewing job evaluations and remunerating those who have been hired into public service.’

This collaboration follows recent leadership changes, with newly appointed commissioners in both entities taking office just a month ago.

The two institutions have been at loggerheads over disputes on salaries and allowances.

Early this month, PSC accused the SRC of overstepping its role by advising public institutions on pay structures, bypassing the PSC.

In their 2023/2024 report, PSC argued that SRC had no power to determine remuneration and benefits in the public service and that its mandate over public officers is to advise on their remuneration and benefits

The PSC argued that this has led to pay distortions and worsened disparities, ultimately undermining fairness.

Koskei acknowledged that that there are overlapping mandates, maintaining that there is need to harmonise their operations.

“I emphasised the need to put aside any thought of guarding territory at the expense of service delivery,” he said.

The new SRC chairman, Sammy Chepkwony, noted that they agreed to work together since they are all serving one customer-the public servant. “We’ll do our role together with the PSC to set salaries and advice on salaries in a way that really motivates the public servant in a sustainable way in an affordable manner,” he said.

Other areas of collaboration include performance appraisals, promotions and career growth to ensure productivity.

“The SRC is responsible for controlling wage growth, while the PSC determines the optimal staffing levels. I ask you to reflect together: if you work jointly, the public sector wage bill will remain within sustainable without compromising service delivery,’ said Koskei.

The other area of focus identified is harmonisation of payments other than salaries, and allowances such as travel, housing and hardship, which constitute significant portion of the government expenditure.

PSC chairman, Anthony Muchiri said the two commissions are committed to moving beyond their traditional siloed approaches.