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| SRC to raise salaries for MPs ,Moses Wetandula amist tense moments |
Even as Kenyans push President William Ruto’s government to implement budget cuts and other austerity measures, Members of Parliament (MPs) are set to receive a pay rise effective July 1. The SRC has increased salaries for Parliament speakers and MPs. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will implement a new monthly compensation structure for state officers in the Senate and National Assembly in the financial year 2024/2025. How much will parliament leaders earn? In a gazette notice, Moses Wetangula, the speaker of the National Assembly, and Amason Kingi, the speaker of the Senate, will begin receiving a gross salary of KSh 1,208,362 this month, up from KSh 1,185,327. The pay increase will also benefit Gladys Boss Shollei, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, and Kathuri Murungi, the deputy speaker of the Senate. The duo will receive a gross salary of KSh 966,690, up from KSh 948,261. Kimani Ichung’wah, the leader of the majority in the National Assembly, and Opiyo Wandayi, the minority leader, will earn KSh 800,019. On the other hand, MPs’ salaries have been increased to KSh 739,600. “Monthly remuneration structure for state officers in the Senate and National Assembly to be implemented in the financial year 2024/2025, with effect from July 1, 2024,” the notice stated. How did Kenyans react? The new high salaries have caused an uproar, given that many Kenyans struggle to make ends meet. Enraged youths are organising peaceful street rallies, accusing elected officials of perpetuating corruption and embezzling public funds. TUKO.co.ke sampled some reactions: Abdirahman Taqal: “We need the contacts of @srckenya officials..you can’t cut the salaries of medical interns while giving hefty packs to MPs.” Felix Ochieng: “All MPs have accepted hefty salaries. Reject.” Branice Munyasa: “Medical interns have been at home for over a year, but we have money to increase MPs salaries … are you seeing where the problem is?” Propesa: “Unbelievable: Just a day after President Ruto’s speech on cutting down on state spending, our MPs have chosen to increase their salaries and perks.” @WaruiJohn2: “These people are funny, they are saying 100K teachers won’t be paid in July because the Finance Bill was Withdrawn. They are also saying they won’t employ JSC teachers this year as a result of that, too. But they are increasing MPs’ salaries…hii pesa inatoka?” Which austerity measures did William Ruto announce? President William Ruto directed various austerity measures to be undertaken by his administration to cut the budget. Ruto said the measures will help reduce government expenditure, starting with the Office of the President. This came after he sent the Finance Bill 2024 back to the National Assembly asking MPs to delete all clauses.
by Japhet Ruto