Top government officials including Cabinet Secretaries and Members of Parliament are set to get a salary raise from this month.
As detailed in a Gazette notice that was published by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in August 2023, the increments took effect on July 1.
In the executive, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General were among the biggest beneficiaries with a salary raise of Ksh33,000.
They will be earning Ksh990,000 from Ksh957,000 paid to them last month.
Also set to get the Ksh33,000 salary raise include the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and the Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.
On the other hand, Principal Secretaries and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji will also get a salary raise.
The trio will be earning Ksh819,844 from this month. Previously, their salary was quoted as Ksh792,519, marking an increment of Ksh27,325.
Meanwhile, the Deputy IG and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin will be earning Ksh Ksh684,233 from Ksh652,742.
Notably, only President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have their salaries retained as currently are. Ruto will continue earning Ksh1,443,750 as Gachagua takes home Ksh1,227,188.
Parliament
In Parliament, both Speakers of the House will get an increment from Ksh1,185,327 to Ksh1,208,362. Their deputies will also be getting a raise from Ksh948,261 to Ksh966,690.
Leaders of the Majority and Minority in both houses will benefit from an increment of Ksh15,251. The leaders which include Kimani Ichung'wah, Opiyo Wandayi, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Stewart Madzayo will be earning 800,019 from Ksh784,768.
New salaries for MPs and Senators will be Ksh739,600 from the past Ksh725,502.
Counties
Equally, new salaries will be taking effect in the county governments. All governors are set to earn Ksh990,000 from this month. This is an increase of Ksh33,000 from their previous quote of Ksh957,000.
Deputy Governors will also get an increase from Ksh652,742 to Ksh684,233.
On the other hand, Members of the Executive Committee (county ministers) will now be earning Ksh422,526 from the previous Ksh413,079.
Reactions
Despite being Gazetted in 2023, the increments are set to stir public debate especially now that there is concern over government excesses.
Some of the leaders set for the increment have also revealed that they will be rejecting the raises.
"The salary increases for state officers including governors are absolutely unwarranted at this time," Siaya Governor James Orengo 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 Ksh300,000 in income tax every month. I will not fight for Ksh14,000 extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen taxpayer burden," Senator Edwin Sifuna stated.
