Kenyan President William Ruto has instructed his ministers and lawmakers to “live within their means,” ordering the withdrawal of their recent pay rise amid public outrage and nationwide protests.
Hussein Mohammed, the
spokesperson for the Kenya State House, disclosed this on Wednesday, July
amidst criticisms following reports of the pay rise for ministers and
lawmakers.''
“The President has emphasised that now more
than ever, the Executive and all arms of government must live within their
means,” Mr Mohammed said, adding that Mr Ruto has instructed a review of
salaries for his ministers and lawmakers.
It was reported on Tuesday,
July 2, that Mr Ruto’s ministers and Kenyan members of parliament received a
pay rise effective July 1.
According to local media, the
pay rise for Mr Ruto’s cabinet members and lawmakers coincided with nationwide
protests that have resulted in over 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Previously, each cabinet
secretary who earned Ksh. 957,000 will now earn Ksh. 990,000 plus allowances,
and each of the 51 principal secretaries who earned Ksh. 792,519 will now earn
Ksh. 819,844.
The salaries of the speakers of
the National Assembly and Senate increased from Ksh. 1,185,327 to Ksh.
1,208,362, while salaries of members of parliament increased from Ksh. 725,502
to Ksh. 739,600.
Although deliberations on
salary increments for Mr Ruto’s cabinet members and lawmakers occurred months
ago, their implementation coincided with deadly protests against a tax hike.
However, Mr Ruto has now been
forced to announce the suspension of the pay rise for his ministers and
lawmakers for the time being.
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