Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is a co-principal of Azimio la Umoja Coalition, on Wednesday, accused the government of attempting to divert the public's attention through the recently proposed hike in the salaries of state officers.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had on Tuesday published a bulletin showing that state officials from Parliamentary speakers down to members of the County Assembly were gearing up for pay increments of different tiers.
Both speakers, based on the document, are in line to receive an increment from Ksh1,185,327 to Ksh1,208,362. Their deputies will also be getting a raise from Ksh948,261 to Ksh966,690.
In response, Musyoka described the pay rise, which is expected to take effect beginning end of this month, as insensitive to the youth who have been staging protests fuelled by a raft of issues including the high cost of living.
"We also note with concern the intention to divert the public attention from the real issue by purporting to adjust the salaries of senior state officers, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly, and governors upwards at a time when the country's economy is not doing well," he stated.
"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 his position as Minority Leader, Wandayi would have received a Ksh15,251 increment from Ksh784,768 to Ksh800,019. New salaries for MPs and Senators will be Ksh739,600 up from Ksh725,502.
Confirmation of JSS interns' employment on permanent and pensionable terms was left on ice after President William Ruto shelved the Finance Bill 2024 in its entirety.
Earlier, the state had confirmed that all the 46,000 interns would be employed after serving as interns for two years.
