Covid-19: SRC approves Ksh.3B emergency allowance for healthcare workers

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has now approved Ksh.3 billion emergency allowance and benefits for Covid-19 front-line healthcare workers for three months.

SRC Chairperson Lynn Mengich, in a letter to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, said the commission deliberated the matter during its 117^th meeting held on April 18, 2020.

The commission hence approved Ksh.3,013,390,000 for a period of 3 months with effect from April 1, 2020 subject to availability of funds.

“The purpose of this letter therefore, is to present to your office the resultant cost implication of implementing the COVID-19 Medical Emergency Allowance and benefits for frontline healthcare workers in national and county governments for consideration and release of funds by the National Treasury,” read the statement.

The Council of Governors (CoG) had on April 15 urged SRC to approve allowances for healthcare providers in the Covid-19 war due to the risks they subject themselves to.

CoG, in a letter signed by Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya, further argued that the medical professionals now have an increased workload hence should be compensated.

“Workers are faced with increased workload in two respects: they have to handle the infected and affected families and are at the centre of implementing the measures of control and prevention in the communities they work in,” said Mr. Oparanya, who doubles up as the Kakamega governor.

“On this premise, the council recommends that there is need for your office to determine an honorarium for the Covid-19 frontline staff who are serving beyond their call of duty in this period.”