Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has publicly endorsed the appointment of his brother, Eng. Michael Thoya Kingi, to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), terming the institution central to Kenya’s ongoing debate over public sector pay.
His remarks followed Monday’s swearing-in ceremony held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi and presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The Speaker acknowledged the event in a statement posted on X, noting that he was present as the new commissioner took his oath of office.
He commended the appointment and expressed confidence that the SRC would continue fulfilling its constitutional duties with “boldness, transparency, and accountability,” quoting directly from his public message.
The SRC is one of Kenya’s independent commissions established under Article 230 of the Constitution.
It brings together a chairperson and twelve commissioners drawn from various public sectors.
Its mandate includes determining salaries and benefits for state officers and issuing advice on remuneration for other public service positions, a role that often places it at the centre of negotiations involving government spending, union demands, and county budget planning.
Eng. Michael Kingi’s entry into the commission comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with wage bill pressures and repeated calls for a leaner public service.
Over the past decade, disputes between elected leaders, public sector unions, and the national treasury have frequently highlighted the SRC’s influence on fiscal discipline and equity in government compensation.
The commission’s upcoming cycles of review are expected to attract close scrutiny from both policymakers and the public.
Speaker Kingi’s acknowledgment of the appointment adds a political dimension, given his senior role in the legislature and the ongoing interest surrounding appointments to constitutional bodies.
However, his statement focused solely on the institution’s mandate and did not address any political interpretations that might arise from his presence at the ceremony.
The swearing-in officiated by Chief Justice Koome followed the standard procedures required for commissioners joining independent offices.