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Minister Raphael Magyezi announced a 100% pay rise for local government leaders in the upcoming fiscal year during a parliamentary committee meeting. The decision aims to rectify the inadequate compensation for councilors. The Ministry’s priorities for the next fiscal year also include reviewing decentralization policies and implementing the Parish Development Model.

Local government leaders are slated to receive a 100% pay increment effective the upcoming financial year, as announced by the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi.

Magyezi, emphasizing the necessity to augment the remuneration of local political leaders, made this announcement during his appearance before the Parliament Committee on Public Service and Local Government on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The committee, chaired by Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, is currently reviewing the ministry’s Policy statement for the fiscal year 2024/2025.

“This policy statement prioritizes various areas, including the augmentation of political leaders’ remuneration. Given the prevailing cost of living, it is imperative to enhance their compensation,” he stated, expressing concern over the inadequacy of councilors’ pay, which he deemed incompatible with the current economic landscape.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ben Kumumanya, affirmed that they would submit a Cabinet Paper proposing a 100 percent increase for all local political leaders, citing substantial disparities in public servants’ salaries as revealed by audits.

Presently, chairpersons at the Parish and village levels receive a monthly remuneration of sh10,000; whereas sub-county chairpersons receive sh400,000, and sub-county councilors receive sh35,000.

Municipal, City, and District Councilors are compensated sh250,000 per month, subject to taxation. Speakers and Deputy Speakers at various levels receive between sh300,000 and sh600,000, while City and District Executive Committee members earn sh600,000 monthly. City and District Chairpersons receive a million shillings.

Chairperson Mapenduzi lauded the Ministry’s initiative to enhance the remuneration of local government political leaders. However, he advised the Ministry to reallocate funds earmarked for councilor induction to bolster the Parish Development Model, especially with the impending election period.

As per the Ministerial Policy Statement, the Ministry of Local Government has been allocated a budget estimate of sh202.15 billion for the next financial year, representing an increase of sh36.7 billion from the current fiscal year’s allocation of sh166.8 billion.

Key areas of focus for the Ministry in the upcoming fiscal year include the review of the Decentralization Policy Framework, amendment of the Local Government Act, Cap,243, and the implementation of the Parish Development Model.