The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), led by Chairperson Sammy Chepkwony, conducted a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) exercise at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) as part of its ongoing review of remuneration and productivity frameworks within public institutions.
Mr. Chepkwony and his team were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, on November 20, 2025 at the university’s Main Campus.
Speaking at JKUAT, Chepkwony emphasized that the exercise was “more than a routine evaluation,” noting that the Commission is shifting its focus toward deeper collaboration with higher education institutions in a bid to strengthen governance, streamline remuneration systems, and enhance staff productivity.
He noted that SRC is adopting a partnership-driven approach, where institutions and the Commission jointly identify operational challenges, design practical solutions, and co-create strategies that support efficient and sustainable service delivery.
“Our goal is not just to assess, but to work together to solve problems and identify new pathways to productivity,” Chepkwony said.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted JKUAT’s strong academic reputation, revealing that the university has consistently admitted the highest number of first-year students nationally—a trend she attributed to the institution’s sustained track record in research, innovation, and industry-aligned training.
Prof. Ngumi commended SRC for embracing a collaborative and consultative model, noting that such engagements help institutions align more effectively with national public service guidelines.
She added that JKUAT’s popularity among high school leavers is a clear vote of public confidence, strengthened by the university’s emphasis on hands-on learning, academic rigor, and student discipline.
The Vice Chancellor further underscored JKUAT’s standing as a research-intensive university, citing its investments in innovation, commercialization, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global partnerships. She referenced ongoing collaborative initiatives with international universities, research centers, and local industries as proof of the university’s commitment to driving Kenya’s technological and industrial advancement.
During the engagement, the two teams discussed a range of issues affecting public universities, including staffing levels, productivity expectations, research support, remuneration structures, and compliance with national public service standards.
Speaking in his capacity as the host of the exercise, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance, Prof. Bernard Ikua, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continuous improvement in human resource management.
He emphasized that JKUAT is keen on aligning its internal systems with national standards, adding that the M&E exercise provides a valuable opportunity to streamline processes, strengthen accountability, and support a performance-driven organizational culture.
SRC Commissioner Mohamed Aden Abdi echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of the evaluation process in identifying tangible solutions to sector-wide challenges.
He emphasized that the Commission is committed to fostering stronger stakeholder engagement and developing measures that maximize productivity and overall institutional performance. Abdi noted that such collaborative reviews are essential in strengthening Kenya’s public service ecosystem and ensuring that universities remain competitive, well-governed, and adequately supported.
