Salary hike for Kenyan lawmakers sparks public outrage amid economic struggles

The proposed salary increment for Kenyan lawmakers has ignited widespread discontent among citizens and leaders at large, amid ongoing economic hardships.

For the past three weeks, Kenyans, led by Gen Z, have taken to the streets to protest the government's misuse of funds and failure to fulfil key promises while simultaneously raising taxes.

The demonstrations, aimed at fighting corruption and advocating for better governance, have unfortunately claimed several lives and left others nursing injuries.

Despite public outcry over government spending, a Gazette Notice by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has announced that new salary structures for state officers in the Senate and National Assembly will be implemented starting July 1, 2024.

Under the new structure, MPs and senators, whose current salary is Sh725,502, will see an increase to Sh739,600 per month. Governors’ salaries will also rise from Sh957,000 to Sh990,000, while Members of the County Assembly (MCA) will receive an increase from Sh154,481 to Sh164,588 monthly.

The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi will now earn Sh1,208,362, up from Sh1,185,327, and their deputies will see their pay rise from Sh948,261 to Sh966,690.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei and Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi will also benefit from the salary increase, as will Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, whose salaries will go up from Sh784,768 to Sh800,019. However, house allowances will remain unchanged.

The timing of these salary increases has led to significant backlash from Kenyans, who are questioning the proposal, especially with the government yet to pay junior secondary school teachers and medical interns.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino condemned the move, saying it’s wrong for the government to increase salaries while Kenyans are sleeping hungry and are jobless.

“MPs and other state officers should not be added, not even a coin. It’s sad to increase salaries while Kenyans have no jobs, no capital to start businesses, no money to pay school fees, and no money for medication. Say NO to the salary increment,” he rallied his online following.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna concurred with Babu Owino, noting that there is no need for an increment while Kenyans are advocating for budget cuts.

Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chairperson Lyn Mengich. (Photo: SRC)

“The SRC is proposing to add Sh14,000 to my salary. 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 Sh300,000 in income tax every month. I will not fight for Sh14,000 extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen the burden on taxpayers. I don’t want this Sh14,000,” he said.

Siaya County Governor James Orengo added, “The salary increase for state officers, including governors, is absolutely unwarranted at this time.”

Aldai MP Marianne Kitany added “I have learned that the SRC is proposing a salary increment for MPs to the tune of Ksh. 14,000. Given the current state of affairs, this is not the right time to prioritise any salary hikes for public officials. If anything, we should be having a discussion on salary reduction. Therefore, as a conscientious Kenyan and an elected MP, I firmly oppose the proposed salary increase."

Public frustration also spilt over onto social media, with Kenyans criticising the government for its double talk. President William Ruto promised to enforce austerity measures after withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024, proposing his salary, that of his deputy and that of other state officials.

“The government is going to cut down on unnecessary expenditures; meanwhile, all these elected officials are getting salary increases after 20 months in office, yet they have done nothing significant to warrant a salary increase,” one tweep identifying himself as Kimanzi said.

“The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is the other enemy you all should be calling out. Pesa ya kulipa JSS interns ama kuwaongeza salary hakuna but for MP's, Senators and MCA's ipo. Make it make sense,” official Gofar said.

“The same government that said there was no money now has recommended salary increments for ministers, MPs, governors, IG I think Kenya is heading in the wrong direction,” Litundunya added.

“The increase of salary for MP's and Cabinet is an insult not only to Gen Zs but to the people of Kenya,” Stanley Ndiritu noted.

During a media roundtable debate at State House on Sunday, President William Ruto stated that he was unable to reduce MPs' salaries as requested by Kenyan youths because his hands are tied.

“I am ready to engage with the youth in these X spaces. Tell me how I can make this better, tell me this is not good enough, and change this. I have seen them say that we should reduce the salaries of MPs to Sh200,000 or something. Some of those things are not within my power, they are things where we need to do a whole nation approach,” Ruto defended himself.

Last year, President Ruto rejected an SRC proposal to increase his salary and those of other top state officers, citing a need for equity in salary payments.

The SRC had proposed increasing Ruto’s salary from Sh1,443,750 to Sh1,546,875 and his deputy’s from Sh1,227,188 to Sh1,367,438. Other officials were to receive a 7 per cent increase, but Ruto insisted on first addressing salary disparities.

He emphasised that salary increases must be postponed until the country's economic disparities are addressed.

“Until I have instructed the SRC to give us international best practices, we need to reduce the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom. It’s not right because we live in the same country,” he said.

Protesters demonstrating against the proposed Finance Bill 2024/2025 enter the Parliament compound in Nairobi on June 25, 2024, in this still image obtained from a social media video. ("@ItsMiller_G"/X/REUTERS)