Top government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries and Members of Parliament, are set to receive salary raises starting this month.
As detailed in a Gazette notice published by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in August 2023, the increments took effect on July 1.
In the executive branch, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, and the Attorney General are among the biggest beneficiaries, with a salary increase of Ksh33,000. They will now earn Ksh990,000, up from Ksh957,000 last month.
The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, and the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, will also receive the Ksh33,000 salary raise.
Principal Secretaries, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji will see their salaries increase to Ksh819,844 from Ksh792,519, marking an increment of Ksh27,325.
Additionally, the Deputy Inspector General and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin will now earn Ksh684,233, up from Ksh652,742.
Notably, only President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have their salaries retained as they are. Ruto will continue earning Ksh1,443,750, while Gachagua takes home Ksh1,227,188.
Parliament
In Parliament, both Speakers of the House will receive an increment from Ksh1,185,327 to Ksh1,208,362. Their deputies will also see raises from Ksh948,261 to Ksh966,690.
Leaders of the Majority and Minority in both houses, including Kimani Ichung'wah, Opiyo Wandayi, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, and Stewart Madzayo, will benefit from an increment of Ksh15,251, bringing their salaries to Ksh800,019 from Ksh784,768.
New salaries for MPs and Senators will be Ksh739,600, up from Ksh725,502.
Counties
Similarly, new salaries will take effect in county governments. All governors will earn Ksh990,000 from this month, an increase of Ksh33,000 from their previous salary of Ksh957,000. Deputy Governors will also see an increase from Ksh652,742 to Ksh684,233.
Members of the Executive Committee (county ministers) will now earn Ksh422,526, up from the previous Ksh413,079.
Reactions
Despite being gazetted in 2023, the increments are set to stir public debate, especially amidst concerns over government spending.
Some leaders have revealed that they will be rejecting the raises. Siaya Governor James Orengo stated, "The salary increases for state officers, including governors, are absolutely unwarranted at this time."
Senator Edwin Sifuna commented, "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 Ksh300,000 in income tax every month. I will not fight for Ksh14,000 extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen the taxpayer burden."