Ruto orders review of SRC's notice on salary increments for state officers

President William Ruto. [PCS]

President William Ruto has directed the National Treasury to review a gazette notice issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommending an increase in the salaries of state officers.

The president, in a statement on Wednesday, stressed on the need for all arms of government to live within their means.

"The President 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 light of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the fiscal constraints expected this financial year," read a statement by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed.

Ruto's directive comes hours after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria declined to implement the proposed salary increments citing an inflated wage bill.

“As the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management therefore, I decline to implement the gazette notice on increased salaries as applies to the Executive arm of National Government and urge the Commission to degazette the implementation of the new salary structure, in its entirety, across all levels of Government”, Kuria's letter stated.

At the same time, Kuria urged SRC and other institutions in the public sector to refer to the resolutions made during the Third National Wage Bill Conference held on 15-17th April 2024 where wage bill reduction was discussed at length.

"Among the resolutions was to reduce the Wage bill to 35 percent of revenue as provided in the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and the prevailing austerity measures announced by the President occasioned by the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.”

A Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023 from SRC stated that state officers were scheduled to get salary and benefit increments starting July 1 2024.

If implemented, both the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Senate will receive Sh1,208,362, Sh40 million mortgage, Sh25,000 airtime and an official residence.

Additionally, the Majority and Minority leaders would walk home with Sh800,019 from the previous Sh784,768. MPs and Senators would receive a pay rise of around Sh14,000.