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| President William Ruto |
President William Ruto has directed the National Treasury to review the salary increment proposal for state officers. President William Ruto speaking at a past event. This followed a gazette notice published by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which would see the government spend over KSh 1 billion on wages starting July 1, 2024. Why Ruto wants review of state officers' pay rise In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed explained that Ruto is taking this step in light of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the expected fiscal constraints. The head of state reiterated his call for Kenyans to live within their means, saying this is the time, more than ever before. "President William Ruto has directed the National Treasury to review the Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regarding the remuneration & benefits for State officers in the Executive of the National Government, the Senate and the National Assembly, in light of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 & the fiscal constraints expected this financial year. "The President has emphasised that this is a time, more than ever before, for the Executive & all arms of government to live within their means, said Mohamed. What's the new salary for Ruto's CSs and MPs? In the gazette notice published in August 2023, SRC published new salaries and compensation structure for state officers starting July 1, 2024. According to the gazette, National Assembly and Senate speakers Moses Wetang'ula and Amason Kingi received a pay rise to KSh 1.2 million at the start of the 2024/25 fiscal year. Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi received a pay rise to KSh 990,000 from KSh 975,000 per month, plus other allowances. Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, will receive pay rises of KSh 1.6 million and KSh 1.4 million, respectively. This sparked debate among Kenyans, causing a public uproar that has seen members of parliament decline the increment. Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot asked Members of Parliament (MPs) to reject the annual pay increase by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). What Kenyans said about MPs, CSs salary increment A Kenyan man estimated Wetang'ula and Kingi's monthly mobile phone expenditure after SCR proposed a KSh 25,000 airtime benefit per month. The man broke down the charges on calls at KSh 6,000 and mobile data at KSh 4,000. Others questioned whether the speakers have to make calls throughout the day.
by Wycliffe Musalia
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