By Lucy Adautin
Amid widespread public outrage and nationwide protests, President William Ruto has ordered his ministers and lawmakers to “live within their means” and has rescinded their recent pay increase.
The directive was communicated recently by Hussein Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kenya State House, following backlash over reports of the pay rise.
“The President has emphasised that now more than ever, the Executive and all arms of government must live within their means,” Mohammed stated, adding that Ruto has called for a review of the salaries for his ministers and lawmakers.
Reports indicated that ministers and Kenyan parliament members received a pay rise effective July 1.
Local media revealed that the pay rise for cabinet members and lawmakers coincided with nationwide protests resulting in over 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Previously, each cabinet secretary’s salary increased from Ksh. 957,000 to Ksh. 990,000 plus allowances, and each of the 51 principal secretaries’ salaries rose from Ksh. 792,519 to Ksh. 819,844.
The salaries of the National Assembly and Senate speakers were raised from Ksh. 1,185,327 to Ksh. 1,208,362, while members of parliament saw their salaries increase from Ksh. 725,502 to Ksh. 739,600.
Although discussions on salary increments for President Ruto’s cabinet and lawmakers took place months ago, their implementation coincided with deadly protests against a tax hike.
Ruto has since announced the suspension of the pay rise for his ministers and lawmakers
