President William Ruto announced that all 106,000 village elders across the country will begin receiving a monthly stipend of Sh3,000 next month, acknowledging their vital role in preserving peace and aiding local governance. Addressing roughly 10,000 village elders at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday, August 4, the president outlined a series of new measures aimed at bolstering their capacity to serve at the grassroots level. Free Medical Cover for Elders and Their FamiliesAdditionally, President Ruto instructed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to allocate funds in the upcoming November or December supplementary budget to cover medical insurance for the elders and their families. The move ensures the government pays Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions for the elders, their spouses, and their children. By placing village elders directly under the presidency through the provincial administration, the government aims to formalize their position in the national structure and refine coordination with other local officials.