Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to take pay cuts. Speaking on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Senate Majority Leader suggested that lawmakers should reject the salary increments proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Call for Reducing Public Expenditure

Cheruiyot emphasized that the SRC should ensure the country’s public expenditure on salaries and wages is reduced from the current 46 percent to the mandatory 35 percent. “If it means taking a pay cut, we as members of parliament have been told that we will never do it. We don’t have an option, we must do it,” he stated.

Criticism of SRC’s Silence on High Wages

The lawmaker criticized the SRC for remaining silent on the ongoing debate about high wages. He faulted the Lyn Mengich-led commission for proposing a pay rise for MPs and other state officers during tough economic times.

Cheruiyot on MPs’ Pay Rise

Cheruiyot urged lawmakers from both the National Assembly and the Senate to stand firm and reject the proposed salary increments. “The yearly increment that is being discussed, I saw it being reported or misreported that we are now going to earn more… SRC continues to be silent about it. We must make a resolution and say that we reject even that one in light of the financial situation,” he stated.

Support from MP Adan Keynan

Cheruiyot’s call was supported by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, who also urged MPs to decline the pay hikes. In a statement made via his official X account on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Keynan condemned the SRC’s move to propose a pay rise for lawmakers and state officers.

Criticism of SRC’s Disconnect

Keynan pointed out that the SRC’s proposal speaks of a state agency that has lost touch with the prevailing economic state of the country. He termed the move to increase MPs’ salaries as grossly insensitive and urged lawmakers and state officers to condemn the SRC and decline the pay rises. “The move by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to increase salaries for Members of Parliament and other state officers speaks of a state agency that has lost touch with the prevailing economic state of the country,” Keynan stated. “This unwarranted action by the Mrs. Lyn Mengich-led commission is grossly insensitive, tone-deaf, and should be loudly condemned and unequivocally declined.”

Details of the Proposed Salary Increases

According to the Gazette Notice by the SRC, monthly remuneration structures for state officers in the Senate and the National Assembly are to be implemented in the Financial Year 2024/2025, with effect from July 1, 2024. The two Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi respectively, will start receiving a gross salary of Ksh1,208,362, up from Ksh1,185,327, while their deputies will earn Ksh966,690, up from Ksh948,261. The Leaders of the Majority and Minority parties, Kimani Ichung’wa and Opiyo Wandayi respectively, will earn Ksh800,019, up from Ksh784,768. The other MPs and senators will earn Ksh739,600, up from Ksh725,502.