An Investigation report on the alleged delay in salary harmonization, irregular recruitment of interns and promotion of staff on tribal basis at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)

Abstract

The Commission, pursuant to its mandate provided for under section 8 of its constitutive Act, carried out an investigation into alleged delay by the Director General, KALRO to implement harmonized KALRO staff salary. It was also alleged that the DG irregularly recruits interns and promotes staff based on tribalism. The investigation was prompted by an anonymous complaint letter received by the Commission on 20th August, 2017. The Commission notified the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agricultural Research of the Commission’s decision to undertake the investigations. The investigations team visited KALRO Offices, conducted interviews and recovered documents relevant to the investigations. It was established that the merging of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK), Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KASREF) and Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) to form KALRO affected staff’s terms of service as the four institutions had different salary scales and grading structures. As a result, staff were places at similar levels but with different terms which brought disquiet among the staff. Subsequently, the grading structure and salary scales needed to be harmonized in order to ensure fairness and parity. The process of harmonization elicited mixed reactions from staff as some of them had higher salaries than the others. Some felt the process was not favoring them. It was also noted that the merger took place and the management had to work out budget requirement to take care of staff emolument. The process took long because it required the input of the ministry and appraisal by SRC. However, the harmonization was effected from 18th May, 2018 and salary backdated to January, 2018. The other allegations; irregular recruitment of staff and promotion of staff on tribal basis were unfounded. First Draft 7 The Commission made a recommendation to the Director, Human Resource and Administration, KALRO to proactively disclose information to the members of staff in line with Access to Information Act, 2016.