Just In: Ruto Orders Review of Salary Hikes for Ministers, State Officers Following Public Backlash

Confidence UbaniJuly 3, 20241 Mins read368

Kenyan President William Ruto has announced rejecting and withdrawing the contentious Finance Bill, earlier this afternoon.

Kenyan President William Ruto, on Wednesday afternoon, called for an immediate review of the recent salary increases for state officers. This directive followed public outrage over a gazette notice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) dated August 9, 2023. The notice announced pay raises for the Executive and Legislature, effective July 1, 2024.

Cabinet secretaries were to earn Ksh now. 990,000, up from Ksh. 957,000, while principal secretaries’ salaries were increased to Ksh. 819,844 from Ksh. 792,519. Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate would earn Ksh. 1,208,362, up from Ksh. 1,185,327, and members of parliament would see their salaries rise to Ksh. 739,600 from Ksh. 725,502.

The salary adjustments came under heavy criticism due to the ongoing economic hardships many Kenyans face and fiscal policy challenges. The recent protests against the Finance Bill, which was withdrawn after at least 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries, made this pay rise move tone-deaf and insensitive.

The protests, which began on June 18, buttresses the need to curb public expenditure. Demonstrators also demanded Ruto’s resignation and an end to corruption and poor governance. Protesters, including youths carrying coffins, have shut down some parts of Nairobi and other regions.

In the heat of these developments and recent outcry over the pay rise, the president instructed the National Treasury to reassess the salary increments in the context of the expected financial constraints for the 2024/25 fiscal year. He communicated this through the State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed and stated that the directive aimed to ensure the government lives within its means.