As detailed in the Gazette Notice published by SRC in August 2023, the increments took effect on July 1.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot on Wednesday, July 3 added his voice in opposition to the proposed salary increment from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) which targeted not just Members of Parliament but also various state officers from the President to Members of the County Assembly.
As detailed in the Gazette Notice published by SRC in August 2023, the increments took effect on July 1. Per the new rates, speakers of both houses in Parliament will get an increase from Ksh1,185,327 to Ksh1,208,362.
Furthermore, their deputies would get a pay rise from Ksh948,261 to Ksh966,690 while Majority Leaders would see a Ksh15,251 increase. The leaders which include Kimani Ichung’wah, Opiyo Wandayi, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Stewart Madzayo will be earning Ksh800,019 from Ksh784,768.Â
New salaries for MPs and Senators will be Ksh739,600 from the past Ksh725,502.
National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula during a past House session. /FILE
In the executive, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General got a salary raise of Ksh33,000, with the officers taking home Ksh990,000 from Ksh957,000 last month.
However, only President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have their salaries retained. Ruto will continue earning Ksh1,443,750 as Gachagua continues to earn Ksh1,227,188.
While making his address at the Senate, Cheruiyot faulted the SRC for being silent during the anti-government protests instead of coming up with solutions to salvage the country’s woes.
SRC was also called out by Kenyans for being insensitive to the current situation by enforcing pay raises that cut across the leadership in government, amidst anti-government protests by Kenyans over the high cost of living and punitive taxes.
“SRC has been silent during these protests. They have to speak and tell us what is it that we do to reduce the wage bill from 46 per cent to mandatory 35 per cent. If it means taking a pay cut, we as members of parliament have been told that we will never do it. We don’t have an option, we must do it,” he said.Â
“The yearly increment that is being discussed, I saw it being reported or misreported that we are now going to earn more; SRC continues to be silent about it. We must make a resolution and say that we reject even that one in light of the financial situation.”
According to Cheruiyot, the senators convened for a session on Tuesday off-camera where they discussed issues affecting the country, citing how it has taken Gen Z-led protests and uproar from young Kenyans to realise the shortcomings they had as leaders.
“We had a session yesterday afternoon off-camera where we sat down and reasoned and said what can we make as a contribution. We’re deeply embarrassed that it has taken young children to point to us that we’re naked as leaders,” he remarked.Â
“I realised we’re in extraordinary times and ordinary solutions cannot work this time unless we’re serious and honest. We have come up with this motion which is just but the beginning of guiding our country towards solutions. The country complains of a broken system, that nothing works. That it is a rigged economy. We’re being asked to fix it. Where this thing has reached, it needs an overhaul.”
Esther Passaris
Cheruiyot was not the only legislator to oppose the salary hikes. Nairobi Women Representative, Esther Passaris termed the proposed hikes “akin to robbing a naked person! I reject any salary increments. It’s the exact opposite of what we’re calling for; austerity.”
“It’s fiscally unsustainable and our current economic situation can’t absorb it. Let’s work towards living within our means,” she posted on X.
Babu Owino
According to the Embakasi East MP “MPs and other state officers should not be added even a coin.”
“It’s sad to increase salary while Kenyans have no jobs, Kenyans have no capital to start businesses, Kenyans have no money to pay school fees, No money for medication. Say no to salary increments.”
Edwin Sifuna
On his part, the Nairobi Senator took a personal angle, arguing that he did not need any salary increase himself yet many Kenyans were living hand to mouth.
“The SRC is proposing to add Ksh14,000 to my salary. I didn’t ask for it. I don’t need it. It’s still money, in a country where many have no income, but for perspective, I pay close to 300k in income tax every month,” he lamented.
“I will not fight for Ksh14,000 extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen taxpayer burden. I don’t want this Ksh14,000.”
Aerial view of Parliament buildings. /MZALENDO WATCH
Jalang’o
The Lang’ata Constituency MP termed the proposals as a setup for the officers at a time when the country is in a crisis.
“Some things almost look like a setup. We are in a crisis, and the SRC is proposing an increment of Ksh14,000. Do they want us to be beaten up so that they can be happy? I don’t want that,” he stated.
Governor James Orengo
The Siaya Governor wrote on his X account on Tuesday night that “The salary increases for state officers including governors are absolutely unwarranted at this time”, the first state officer to react to reports of the salary increment.
Governors were also projected to earn Ksh990,000 this month, an increase of Ksh33,000 from their previous earnings of Ksh957,000 per month. Deputy Governors will also get an increase from Ksh652,742 to Ksh684,233.
Millicent Omanga
The former Senator termed the proposed hikes “a betrayal to Kenyans for salaries and other benefits of state officers to be increased at this point in time when there’s agitation for the same to be reduced. We can’t always take Kenyans for fools. Reduce, not increase. That’s what Kenyans are demanding!”