November 26, 2024

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SRC hikes allowances for judges, magistrates

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By Amos Mburu

Judges and magistrates have received an early Christmas gift after their allowances were increased by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

In a letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the commission said the increase was in compliance with a court judgment issued in 2019.

The judgment had ordered SRC to review the non-practice allowance and to make provision for transport allowance for magistrates and Kadhis.

Judges will now receive Sh20,000 in non-practicing allowance while magistrates and Kadhis will receive Sh15,000. Previously, judges were paid Sh13,000 monthly in non-practicing allowance while magistrates earned Sh10,000.

 The commission, however, added a caveat that the new allowances will be paid once funds are available.

“In compliance with the order to review non-practice allowance for judicial officers, the Commission has reviewed non-practicing allowance, payable subject to availability of funds,” reads the letter signed by Chief Executive Officer Anne Gitau.

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 SRC also increased the risk allowance for magistrates and Kadhis from Sh15,000 to Sh20,000 per month.

“While de-consolidating the remuneration for judicial officers as directed by the Court, SRC reinstated the Risk Allowance alongside other allowances as contained in the consolidated pay, enhanced the amount payable by Ksh. 5,000/- and renamed It Risk/Security Allowance. Risk/ Security Allowance for Magistrates and Kadhis, therefore, to be paid at the rate of Ksh. 20,000 per month, subject to availability of funds,” reads the letter.

Magistrates and Kadhis will now receive Sh24,000 every month as transport allowance.

The court had ruled that the failure by SRC to itemise the allowances paid to judicial officers and other State officers was unlawful.