Chief Justice Koome swears in Eng. Michael Thoya as new SRC Commissioner
The CJ urged Eng. Thoya to uphold the constitutional mandate of ensuring a fair, transparent, and fiscally sustainable public remuneration system.
Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday presided over the swearing-in of Eng. Michael Kingi Thoya as the newest member of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The CJ urged Eng. Thoya to uphold the constitutional mandate of ensuring a fair, transparent, and fiscally sustainable public remuneration system.
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Speaking during the ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Nairobi, the Chief Justice underscored the weight of responsibility that accompanies the office, noting that the SRC plays a critical role in strengthening public governance and the prudent management of public resources.
"With this role comes the responsibility of advancing Article 230 of the Constitution—ensuring a fiscally sustainable wage bill, attracting and retaining talent in the public sector, and promoting productivity and performance through fair remuneration," she said.
Koome emphasised that the Commission is instrumental in shaping the country's public finance discipline, particularly at a time when Kenya continues to grapple with wage bill pressures across both national and county governments.
She urged the incoming commissioner to approach the assignment with a spirit of independence, accountability, and fidelity to constitutional values.
"As part of a governance-enhancing institution, the new Commissioner is called to uphold independence, transparency, impartiality and accountability in delivering SRC's mandate," the CJ added, noting that public confidence in remuneration decisions depends on the Commission's ability to operate above political and sectoral interests.
Eng. Thoya joins the SRC at a time when the Commission is undertaking a fresh review of salaries and benefits for public officers, an exercise expected to influence the structure of public sector pay for the next four years.
His entry also adds to the diversified expertise within the Commission, whose membership is drawn from a cross-section of professional bodies and public institutions as stipulated under Article 230 of the Constitution.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission comprises a chairperson and 12 members nominated by various constitutional offices, independent bodies, and stakeholder organisations. Its core mandate is to set and regularly review the remuneration and benefits of State officers, and to advise the national and county governments on compensation for all other public officers.
The oath of office was administered by Esther Nyaiyaki, the Registrar in the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.
With his swearing-in complete, Eng. Thoya is expected to immediately assume his role as the Commission continues to steer reforms aimed at harmonising salaries, enhancing productivity, and stabilising Kenya's public wage bill.
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