Rita Odafe
Kenya’s President William Ruto has decided to withdraw the recent salary increments for ministers and lawmakers in response to widespread protests.
The directive to retract the pay rise was issued on Tuesday and conveyed by Hussein Mohammed, the spokesperson for the Kenya State House, on Wednesday, in the midst of growing criticism over the increased salaries.
Mr. Ruto emphasized the need for all branches of government to be financially responsible and has called for a review of the salaries of ministers and lawmakers.
The pay increase for Ruto’s cabinet members and parliamentarians was reported to have taken effect on July 1, coinciding with nationwide demonstrations that resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries.
Prior to the adjustment, cabinet secretaries earning Ksh. 957,000 were set to receive Ksh. 990,000 plus allowances, while principal secretaries earning Ksh. 792,519 would see an increase to Ksh. 819,844.
Similarly, the salaries of the parliamentary speakers were set to rise from Ksh. 1,185,327 to Ksh. 1,208,362, with members of parliament seeing an increase from Ksh. 725,502 to Ksh. 739,600.
Although discussions on the salary adjustments had taken place months earlier, their implementation coincided with violent protests against a proposed tax hike.
Following public backlash, President Ruto has temporarily suspended the salary increments for his ministers and lawmakers.
