Kalonzo termed the SRC plans as insensitive, given that it does injustice to the youth who have been staging protests
Members of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition in both the Senate and the National Assembly have been directed to reject the proposal by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to increase their salaries.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is a co-principal of Azimio la Umoja Coalition, on Wednesday, claimed that the government was using the salary hikes to distract Kenyans from demanding that the current regime addresses the real issues affecting the country.
While urging its members to reject the salary increments, Kalonzo termed the SRC plans as insensitive, given that it does injustice to the youth who have been staging protests to demand that the government addresses the high cost of living.
“We also note with concern the intention to divert the public attention from the real issues by purporting to adjust the salaries of senior state officers, members of parliament, members of county assemblies, and governors upwards at a time when the country’s economy is not doing well,” Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo Musyoka speaking at Kenyatta National Hospital on June 28, 2024. /KALONZO MUSYOKA
“We urge our members to reject the salary increment. We call on all Kenyans to unite and defend the values of justice, democracy, and peace which this country has ignored.”
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who was in attendance at the Azimio presser, announced that he had also rejected the proposed pay rise, alongside his deputy, Robert Mbui.
In his view, the Treasury should channel the funds to other important causes such as hiring Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers.
“I just want to clarify to the nation that it is a matter of fact that Gen Z and the public have been calling for a reduction in salaries paid to senior state officers including the MPs. Therefore, it will be insensitive for us as MPs to accept any purported salary increment among the rich,” Wandayi told journalists.
“I want to go on record that I, together with my deputy Hon Mbui, have rejected in totality the purported salary increment by the SRC and we are asking the National Treasury to re-allocate that money towards employing the JSS teachers and health workers and helping the youth without gainful employment. I urge my fellow members to follow suit.”
Wandayi, in his position as Minority Leader, would have received Ksh800,019 from Ksh784,768, an increase of Ksh15,251.
Per SRC’s 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.
While making his address at the Senate, Cheruiyot, the Senate Majority Leader, faulted the SRC for being silent during the anti-government protests instead of coming up with solutions to salvage the country’s woes.
“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
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot during a past session. /SENATE