The Azimio la Umoja coalition has instructed elected leaders to reject the salary increase proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Speaking on Wednesday, July 3, Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka said the salary increase of senior government officials, MPs, MCAs, and Senators is aimed at diverting the public attention from real issues.
“We also note with concern the intention to divert the public attention from the real issues by purporting to adjust the salaries of senior state officers, members of parliament, members of county assemblies, and governors upwards at a time when the country’s economy is not doing well. We urge our members to reject the salary increment,” said Kalonzo.
“We urge our members to reject the salary increment. We call on all Kenyans to unite and defend the values of justice, democracy, and peace which this country has ignored.”
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who attended the Azimio press address, announced that he and his deputy Robert Mbui had turned down the pay rise.
Instead, Wandayi advised the Treasury to reallocate the funds towards the hiring of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers among other uses.
“I just want to clarify to the nation that it is a matter of fact that Gen Z and the public have been calling for a reduction in salaries paid to senior state officers including the MPs. Therefore, it will be insensitive for us as MPs to accept any purported salary increment among the rich,” Wandayi told journalists.
“I want to go on record that I, together with my deputy Hon Mbui, have rejected in totality the purported salary increment by the SRC and we are asking the National Treasury to re-allocate that money towards employing the JSS teachers and health workers and helping the youth without gainful employment. I urge my fellow members to follow suit.”
In a gazette notice, SRC increased National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula ‘s monthly salary to Sh1,208,362, up from Sh1,185,327, while his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi’s monthly pay was increased to Sh1,208,362.
Majority and minority leaders of both Houses will receive a new monthly salary of Sh800,019, up from Sh784,768 while MPs’ and senators’ salaries were raised to Sh739,600, up from Sh725,502.
SRC raised Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s monthly pay to Sh990,000, up from Sh957,000.
Other CSs will also receive a monthly salary of Sh990,000, up from Sh957,000, while principal secretaries will receive a monthly pay of Sh 819,844, up from Sh792,519.
The commission raised governors’ monthly pay from Sh957,000 to Sh990,000, while all MCAs had their salaries increased to Sh164,588 per month.
Further the commission increased the salaries for Police Inspector General Japhet Koome, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Noordin Haji, Director of DCI Amin Mohamed, and their deputies.
