UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala has backed President William Ruto’s idea to stop senior state officials from getting a pay rise.
He said increasing salaries for senior government officials is not a priority for the Kenya Kwanza government.
“UDA party supports President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's position that SRC must stop the salary increase for senior government officials,” Malala said.
“Salaries that need to be increased are for normal civil servants, police officers, doctors, nurses other workers.”
He added that extra monies should be channelled to programs that help the common mwananchi.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had proposed to increase salaries for top government officials.
However, the proposal was turned down by Ruto who announced a salary increase for teachers, police officers, KDF officers and other civil servant’s by 7-10 per cent effective July 1.
Gachagua also backed Ruto on the matter and even dared Cabinet Secretaries to resign if they are dissatisfied with President William Ruto's directive to stop salary increases for top state officials.
Speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet on Saturday, he said there is no need to increase their salaries at this time.
"For now top government officials can wait until the economy stabilizes. Let us sort out our teachers and police first. If there is a CS who is dissatisfied with Ruto's move to stop the salary increase, they can resign and we bring someone else," he said.
The DP said the money should instead be used to buy fertilizer for farmers and also given for the welfare of the elderly and women.
SRC has since defended its decision, citing that the review was part of an earlier cycle that had been stopped due to Covid-19.
Malala has now urged SRC to listen to Ruto and Gachagua’s directives.
