Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has appealed to Members of Parliament to support a uniform policy on hardship allowances across government ministries, amid rising concerns over the possible removal of several regions from the hardship classification list.
Speaking on Sunday, May 11, during a visit to Laikipia County one of the areas identified in the 2019 inter-agency technical committee report as potentially being reclassified Ogamba emphasized the need for equitable treatment of all civil servants stationed in challenging environments.
The 2019 report recommends the exclusion of 129 sub-counties from the hardship area designation. If adopted, this move would result in the withdrawal of hardship allowances for teachers and other government employees working in those regions.
In response, CS Ogamba assured affected communities and workers that the Ministry of Education is actively engaging on the matter. He also urged lawmakers to assist in enacting legislation that ensures consistent application of hardship status across all government sectors.
“You are going to help us in Parliament. Let us harmonise and know that if it is a hardship area for one ministry, it is a hardship area for another ministry,” Ogamba said.
He further called for affirmative action, adding, “I will be coming to you guys to give us support in Parliament so that we can do affirmative action.”
Ogamba’s remarks underscore growing concern among civil servants in affected counties, who fear the financial strain that would accompany the loss of hardship benefits.
