President directs Treasury to review SRC salary increment notice

President William Ruto has directed the National Treasury to review the Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), increasing the salaries of State officers in the Executive of the National Government, the Senate and the National Assembly.

Statehouse spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement that the order by the President is in light of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the fiscal constraints expected this financial year.

The President last week announced austerity measures affecting the three arms of government saying the country must live within its means.

“The President has directed the National Treasury to review the Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regarding the remuneration & benefits for State officers. In light of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the fiscal constraints expected this financial year,” read a statement by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed.

“The President says this is a time, more than ever before, for the Executive and, indeed, all arms of government to live within their means” he added.

The president’s decision comes hours after several members of parliament turned down the proposed rise. The newly gazetted remuneration would see the salaries and benefits for State officers in the Executive of the National Government, the Senate the National Assembly, county governments and independent commissions increased.

In the Gazetted proposal President and his deputy’s Salaries would remain the same, while that of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and other Cabinet Secretaries would increase to Ksh990,000 shillings from Ksh957,000.

The Principal Secretaries, Inspector General and Director General NIS were to enjoy a pay rise from Ksh792,519 shillings to Ksh819,844 a month.

Salaries for Members of the National Assembly and the Senate went up by Ksh14,000 from Ksh739,600 to Ksh725,502.

Additional reporting by Collins Anampiu