President Ruto Orders Some Stipends to Village Elders

By The COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

President William Ruto has announced that village elders across the country will begin receiving monthly stipends as part of a new government programme aimed at strengthening grassroots administration.

Speaking during a meeting with village elders and chiefs at State House, Nairobi on August 4, 2026, the President said the government had completed a policy and legal framework formally recognising village elders, their responsibilities and how they would work with national and county governments.

Under the new arrangement, each village elder will receive a monthly stipend of Sh1,000.

The elders will also undergo digital training to improve coordination and the delivery of government services at the community level.

President Ruto further announced that the government would provide Social Health Authority (SHA) cover for the village elders, their spouses and children.

The elders will also receive smartphones to support communication, reporting and access to digital government services.

Interior cabinet secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the programme would establish direct cooperation between the national government and village administrations.

He said the partnership would improve the flow of information, enhance security coordination, and make it easier for residents to access public services.