Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on Saturday, April 8, dragged former President Uhuru Kenyatta into the cash crunch facing the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In a statement, the senator accused the handshake regime of borrowing expensive loans whose maturity period expired in April 2023 - hence forcing the government to prioritise the repayment plan or suffer the consequences of defaulting.
He added that despite the prevailing circumstances, President William Ruto would successfully liberate the economy.
"Uhuru-Raila handshake government ensured that they borrowed expensive loans so that most of it matured this month and must be repaid ASAP."
"Then they gang up to bring political instability against the government while (at the same time) worried that Ruto shall succeed in the economic transformation of the country," he stated.
"Sad news to Uhuru and (Azimio leader) Raila, President Ruto shall transform this country into first world-class of economic prosperity," the senator added.
His words were echoed by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah who dismissed claims from his Minority counterpart, Opiyo Wandayi, over salary delays in the month of March.
Ichung'wah claimed that the salaries were either paid on Wednesday, April 5, or Thursday, April 6.
"My colleague Opiyo Wandayi claims his salary hasn’t been paid. Check your account or manage your debts better. Salaries were paid on Wednesday and Thursday maybe yours was wiped out by personal debts like our national revenues are wiped out by that Debt hole the handshake regime put us in," Ichung'wah scoffed at the minority leader.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the gross salary for the Minority leader is Ksh768,000, which is Ksh58,000 more than the gross salary for other MPs.
This is inclusive of a basic salary of Ksh460,800, and a house allowance of Ksh150,000 with a salary market adjustment of Ksh157,200.
Other benefits enjoyed by the minority leader include Ksh356,525 monthly car maintenance allowance, Ksh7.55 million motor vehicle reimbursement for purchasing a vehicle whose engine is up to 3,000ccs, up to Ksh15,000 monthly airtime and inpatient medical cover of up to Ksh10 million.
The news comes as David Ndii, President William Ruto's Council of Economic Advisors Chairperson, affirmed that the government directed almost 60 per cent of the revenue collected to servicing debts.
He noted that 40 per cent was reserved for paying salaries and supporting other government expenditures.
"Is public finance that difficult? It's reported every other day debt service is consuming 60 per cent plus of revenue, Liquidity crunches come with the territory. When maturities bunch up, revenue falls short, or markets shift, something has to give. Salaries or default? Take your pick," Ndii posed.
