Opposition, Kenya Kwanza senator ask lawmakers to reject pay rise

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi together with Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka. [File, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja Coalition has rejected the proposed salary increments for lawmakers announced by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which took effect on July 1.

The coalition on Wednesday, July 3, instead proposed re-allocating the additional funds to other public sectors, including the employment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers.

"We have rejected the purported salary increase by the SRC. We urge the Treasury to allocate that money towards employing JSS teachers, health workers, and unemployed youth," said Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Wandayi's remarks came after the enactment of the third remuneration and benefits review, gazetted on August 9, 2023.

According to the review, government officials such as Cabinet Secretaries, Speakers, and Members of Parliament are slated to receive salary increments in their July paychecks.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretaries, the Attorney General, the Head of Public Service, and the Secretary to the Cabinet will each receive a Sh33,000 increase, bringing their total salary to Sh990,000.

Principal Secretaries, the Inspector General of Police, and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General will receive a Sh27,325 raise, increasing their pay to Sh819,844.

Speakers of both houses and their deputies will get Sh23,035 and Sh18,429 increases, respectively, while Majority and Minority leaders in both houses will see a Sh15,251 increment, raising their salaries to Sh800,019 from Sh784,768. Additionally, MPs and Senators will each receive a Sh14,098 increase, Governors a Sh33,000 raise, and Deputy Governors a Sh31,491 salary boost.

Despite being gazetted in 2023, the enactment has sparked public debate.

Politicians from various factions have urged the SRC not to implement the changes, citing the country’s unstable economic state.

Leader of Majority in the Senate Aaron Cheruiyot urged his counterparts to reject the increment, suggesting that the SRC should explore ways to reduce public expenditure on wages and salaries.

"SRC should guide us on measures to reduce our public expenditure from the current 46 percent to the mandatory 35 percent, even if it means a pay cut. As Members of Parliament, we must resolve to reject the yearly increment currently under discussion," he said.

Echoing his sentiments, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna stated, "I didn’t ask for it. I don’t need it. It’s still money in a country where many have no income, but for perspective, I pay close to 300k in income tax every month. I will not fight for Sh14,000 extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen the taxpayer burden."

Others who have rejected the salary boost include former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga who in a post on X stated: "It's a betrayal to Kenyans for salaries & other benefits of state officers to be increased at this point in time when there's agitation for the same to be reduced. We can't always take Kenyans for fools. Reduce, not increase. That's what Kenyans are demanding!!!"

The SRC, however, has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.

This enactment comes in the back of public outcry on government expenditure and protests by Kenyans against the wastage of public resources, and poor governance.

Sections of Kenyans continue to call out the Executive and Legislature over their show of opulence when a majority of the population is burdened by the high cost of living.