Azimio Bashes The Gov’t Over SRC Salary Increment, Calls For It’s Diversion
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a co-principal of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, accused the government on Wednesday of attempting to divert public attention with the recently proposed increase in state officers’ salaries.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) issued a bulletin on Tuesday indicating that state officials ranging from Parliamentary speakers to members of the County Assembly were preparing for pay increases of various tiers.
Even at a time when citizens are grappling with financial instability, job loss, economic uncertainty and our elected leaders are busy giving themselves a payrise amid all this CHAOS!!@srckenya how is this even possible!!😡 pic.twitter.com/O2XjGYruXU
— Khalif Ibrahim (@E_brahim_Khalif) July 2, 2024
According to the document, both speakers are eligible for a salary increase of Ksh1,185,327 to Ksh1,208,362. Their deputies will also receive a raise, from Ksh948,261 to Ksh966,690.
In response, Musyoka described the pay increase, which is set to take effect at the end of this month, as insensitive to the youth, who have been staging protests over a variety 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.”
As Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, we strongly condemn the Sponsored Violent Protests and Support the Public demands for the resignation of the Ruto regime.#RutoMustGo pic.twitter.com/oGhZlcxjFr
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) July 3, 2024
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who attended the Azimio press conference, announced that he and his deputy, Robert Mbui, had declined the pay increase.
Instead, Wandayi advised the Treasury to reallocate the funds for the hiring of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, among other purposes.
“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.”
Wandayi’s salary as Minority Leader would have increased by Ksh15,251, from Ksh784,768 to Ksh800,019. The new salary for MPs and Senators will be Ksh739,600, up from Ksh725,502.
Confirmation of JSS interns’ employment on permanent and pensionable terms was put on hold after President William Ruto shelved the Finance Bill 2024 in its entirety.
Previously, the state confirmed that all 46,000 interns would be hired after serving as interns for two years.
Azimio Bashes The Gov’t Over SRC Salary Increment, Calls For It’s Diversion
