Members of Parliament (MPs) will deliberate on the nomination of Sammy Chepkwony as the new chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Chepkwony, a seasoned human resource expert, was nominated by President William Ruto on November 12 and is set to replace Lyn Mengich, whose six-year tenure at the helm of SRC ended in September.
Chepkwony’s nomination comes at a critical time when the country is engaged in intense debates about public sector wages and the broader remuneration system for civil servants. The SRC, which plays a pivotal role in setting salaries and allowances for public officers, will require a steady and skilled hand to steer it through the current financial constraints and growing calls for wage reforms. With his extensive experience in human resources, Chepkwony’s expertise will be crucial in navigating the complex challenges of balancing fair compensation with fiscal sustainability.
A Strong Human Resource Background
Sammy Chepkwony brings over 30 years of experience in the human resources sector. Currently serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at People Centric Management Limited, Chepkwony has built a reputation for his strategic leadership in workforce management and organizational effectiveness. His career began at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) as a senior consultant, but over the years, he has held various senior leadership roles. These include his tenure as the HR Director at Kenya Airways, James Finlay Kenya, and Nairobi Bottlers Ltd, as well as Regional Human Resource Director at Aga Khan University. His impressive career trajectory highlights his ability to manage human resource challenges in diverse sectors.
Chepkwony holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Administration) degree from the University of Nairobi. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Human Resources Management and a member of the Institute of Directors-Kenya. Additionally, Chepkwony is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) in Kenya, and his involvement in various development programs, including a Trustee Development Program, further solidifies his qualifications.
The SRC’s Role and Challenges
If approved, Chepkwony will assume leadership of the SRC at a time when public sector wage issues are a significant national conversation. The commission’s primary responsibility is to ensure that public officers are compensated fairly based on the principles of equity, efficiency, and sustainability. However, with the government grappling with a constrained budget, managing these expectations while maintaining financial stability will be no easy task.
Chepkwony’s human resource expertise is expected to be a key asset as he tackles these issues. His background in managing both large and complex workforces, coupled with his experience in organizational effectiveness, places him in a strong position to offer solutions that balance the needs of the government with those of public servants. His strategic approach will likely involve leveraging his experience in workforce optimization and policy development to ensure that public sector compensation remains both fair and sustainable.
Nominees for Other Key Positions
In addition to Chepkwony’s nomination, MPs will also consider the report by the Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs regarding the nomination of Abdi Mohamud as the new chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). During his vetting, Mohamud pledged to run the EACC as an independent, professional institution, guided strictly by the law and the constitution. He also stressed that, under his leadership, the agency would not be used for political purposes or witch hunts, a promise that is crucial in maintaining the public’s trust in the anti-graft body.
As MPs weigh these nominations, both Chepkwony’s and Mohamud’s confirmations are seen as essential for strengthening institutions that play critical roles in ensuring good governance, accountability, and the fair treatment of public servants in Kenya.
Conclusion
Today’s parliamentary sitting will have lasting implications for the future of public sector administration in Kenya. With the nominations of Sammy Chepkwony for SRC chairperson and Abdi Mohamud for EACC chairperson, lawmakers are tasked with selecting leaders who will guide their respective institutions through complex challenges. The decisions made today will significantly shape the government’s ability to manage its public workforce and address ongoing issues related to corruption and accountability.
