For decades, village elders have quietly played a critical role in maintaining peace and resolving disputes in Kenyan communities, often working without pay or formal recognition.

That is now changing, with the Government introducing a monthly stipend for more than 100,000 village elders across the country and formally integrating them into the national government’s grassroots administration structure.

In Bomariba, Bonchari, Kisii County, 67-year-old Zakaria Ombai is among those who have spent years carrying out the demanding responsibilities of a village elder.

Ombai has served for about 20 years and oversees nearly 650 households. Working closely with Nyumba Kumi representatives, he collects information on security and other community concerns before briefing the area assistant chief.

But the job has not always been easy.
Ombai says village elders are sometimes called upon to intervene in violent family disputes and other tense situations, exposing them to risks despite having little protection or support.

The new stipend, he says, is therefore more than financial assistance—it is recognition of the work elders have performed for years.

Area Chief Trufosa Orina says village elders remain particularly valuable in resolving land and boundary disputes because many have lived in their communities for decades and understand the history of land ownership and local boundaries.

“They know the history of the community,” is the message underpinning their role, as elders often help prevent local disputes from escalating into lengthy conflicts.
For elders such as Ondieki, who has served for 16 years, the Government’s decision has brought renewed motivation after years of unpaid service.

He says receiving his August payment was a significant moment and believes the recognition will encourage village elders to serve their communities with greater commitment.

The Government is also expected to equip the elders with smartphones to improve communication and strengthen their ability to report issues and coordinate with grassroots administrators.

For Vincent Bosire, the recognition has extended beyond the monthly stipend. He recalls being invited to State House by President William Ruto, an experience he regards as an important acknowledgement of the contribution village elders make at the community level.

The elders have welcomed the new arrangement, saying it gives value to work that has for years remained largely invisible despite its importance in maintaining order, resolving disputes and providing early warnings on security concerns.

Some, however, are already calling for the stipend to be increased, with proposals for the monthly payment to eventually reach KSh5,000.
The formal recognition marks a significant shift for village elders who have traditionally operated largely as volunteers. From settling family disagreements and land disputes to sharing security information and supporting chiefs and assistant chiefs, their work has long placed them at the centre of Kenya’s grassroots administration.

For Ombai, Ondieki, Bosire and thousands of their colleagues across the country, the stipend represents more than a monthly payment—it is an acknowledgement of decades of community service and their contribution to peace and stability at the grassroots.