The Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) has opposed the government's latest salary review and a recent Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) circular approving revised pay and benefits for civil servants, describing the move as illegal and warning it could spark the first nationwide strike in the union's history.
Addressing journalists on Monday, July 20, UKCS Secretary General Lawrence Nyaguti said the union was not consulted before the SRC issued the circular on July 17, accusing the commission of acting outside its legal mandate.
Nyaguti said the SRC made the decision while negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) were still ongoing, arguing that the circular represented the government's position instead of the outcome of talks between the two parties.
He maintained that salary negotiations have not been concluded and the CBA remains unsigned, making the implementation of the new remuneration and benefits premature.
The union warned it would challenge the decision in court and, should its concerns remain unresolved, rally members for what it said would be the first nationwide strike by civil servants since the union was established.
UKCS argued that the SRC circular reflects the government's proposals rather than an agreement reached through negotiations with the union.
Nyaguti further stated that approving new salaries and allowances before finalising and signing a CBA weakens the collective bargaining process and infringes on the constitutional rights of civil servants.
The dispute follows the SRC's approval of a new salary structure and allowances under the Fourth Remuneration Review Cycle, clearing the way for salary increases for civil servants effective July 1.
Under the revised pay structure, employees in all job grades are set to receive salary increments, with senior officers receiving the largest increases.
Officers in Grade E4 will earn between Ksh312,000 and Ksh576,000 in basic monthly salary, while those in Grade E3 will receive up to Ksh400,000, excluding house allowance.
Civil servants in Grades C1 to C5 will earn basic monthly salaries ranging from Ksh38,000 to Ksh105,000, while employees in the lowest Grade A3 will receive between Ksh20,600 and Ksh23,700, in addition to house allowances based on their duty stations.
Despite the pay review, UKCS maintained that the proposed salary increases and allowances do not match the rising cost of living, arguing that civil servants deserve better pay and improved working conditions to sustain decent livelihoods.
The union maintained that unless the SRC withdraws the circular and returns to the negotiating table, it will pursue legal action to challenge the decision, warning that failure to resolve the dispute could result in an unprecedented nationwide strike by civil servants.
