‘I Don’t Want It, Say NO!’ Senator Sifuna, MP Babu Owino Protest Salary Increment For State Officers

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino have protested against the salary increments announced by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for state officers.

SRC’s announcement which came amid public rage over unsavoury taxes and the cry to cut on public expenditure will see MPs and Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) be among those earning millions of shillings in enhanced salaries and allowances.

Starting July 1, 2024, CSs will be earning Ksh.990,000 from Ksh.957,000 alongside other allowances, Principal Secretaries (PSs) will now bag Ksh.819,844 up from Ksh.792,519

Speakers Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate) will both enjoy a hefty perk from Ksh.1.1 million to Ksh.1.2 million.

Governors will take home Ksh.990,000 from Ksh.957,000 as all the 349 MPs and 67 senators from Ksh.725,502 to ksh.739,600.

Taking to X on Wednesday, Sifuna said that despite the reports being a “bit of outrage hunting” he will still not accept the Ksh.14,000 salary increment on his 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 300k in income tax every month,” he wrote.

“I will not fight for 14k extra when the whole country is saying we need to lessen taxpayer burden. I don’t want this 14k. Ikae.”

On his part, MP Owino said that the move is ill-informed since the nation is grappling with a heavy financial crisis and giving an advantage to state officers will heighten outrage.

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

It is however important to note that the gazette notice announcing the increment was published in August 2023, noting that the increment will be spread across two years starting July 1, 2023.

President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua denied a revision to their salaries and maintained they shall remain at Ksh.1,443, 750 and Ksh.1,227,188 respectively.

The only way this can change is if the SRC, and only SRC, de-gazettes the notice because the increment was a product of public participation that was conducted last year.