Nandi Governor Stephen Sang' on Monday, March 23 announced that he would lead members of his cabinet in taking significant pay cuts as part of the county's response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Sang' announced that he would take a 30% pay cut for the months of March and April, as will deputy Yulita Mitei.
Members of his cabinet including County Executive Committee (CEC) members and chief officers will take a pay cut of 25% for March and April.
The saved monies will be channeled towards the county's newly established Emergency Fund to purchase medical supplies, facilitate proper handling of any emergencies and raise awareness on Covid-19.
"We have agreed to take pay cuts for the months of March and April, starting with myself and the deputy who will take a 30% pay cut. The County Secretary, CECs and Chief Officers have agreed to take a 25% pay cut for the same period.
"The resultant amount of money will be channeled into the emergency fund account to enable us continuously procure additional and any urgently-needed medical supplies and items in response to the current emergency at hand.
"We are grateful to the members of the County Assembly of Nandi for approving the Nandi Emergency Fund act in a record one week. This paves way for the county to seek and receive funds from all well-wishers.
Funds which shall be managed from the emergency fund in order to adequately respond to emergencies that will arise," he stated.
The governor stated that the leaders had agreed to the pay cuts after various consultations.
Sang' also commended private corporations based in Nandi County for offering to support the county in its plans to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Nationwide Call
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 22, the Ekuru Aukot-led Thirdway Alliance had called for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to take pay cuts as part of the nation's response to the pandemic.
Aukot called for the saved monies to be allocated to a special fund meant to support the economy, particularly low-income earners reeling from the devastating effects of the global outbreak.
"Ask all top politicians starting with yourself, your deputy, cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, CASs, governors, deputy governors, CECs, parastatal boards and top civil servants to take a pay cut to reduce the wage bill and redirect this money to cushion low-income earners who are now working from home.
"At times like this, leaders ought to lead from the front and sacrifice for the welfare of the poor majority," their statement read in part.
Thirdway also called for the government to use the opportunity to renegotiate debt repayment terms and to create a special National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover to specifically take care of Covid-19 related medical bills for Kenyans.
In addition, the party called for the government to immediately make affordable mobile-based loans accessible to citizens to help Kenyans stay on their feet during the outbreak.
Watch Governor Sang's press conference below:
