Kitui Senator Enock Wambua has slammed the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for publishing salary increments for state officers at a time when the country is in a crisis.
The senator questioned the motive behind the move by the Lyn Mengich-led Commission at such a time when the country was partly outraged over the misuse of public funds.
The commission has proposed a pay hike for public and state officers including a Sh14,000 increase on MPs’ salaries effective July 1.
Senator Wambua termed the move insensitive to the feelings of the majority of Kenyans who have taken to the streets to express their anger over governance.
He said SRC’s move is counterproductive to the austerity measures directed by President William Ruto to cut the wage bill.
“You are completely out of order. How dare you publish salary increments for public and state officers at such a time as this? He asked.
Wambua was speaking on Wednesday during a debate on a motion by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot on the current State of the Nation.
He supported Cheruiyot’s sentiments that there are institutions that should be summoned before the House to explain the policy measures they have instituted which may have contributed to the current public outrage.
“The first institution should be the SRC. Who has sent them to fuel discontent in the country at a time when this country is bleeding? He asked.
SRC has in a Gazette notice dated August 9, 2023, said state officers will effective July 1 receive salary increments.
Speakers of both Houses will now earn Sh1,208,362 from Sh1,185,327, Sh40 million mortgage, Sh25,000 airtime and official residence.
Majority and Minority leaders are set to pocket Sh800,019 up from Sh784,768.
MPs of both Houses are set for a Sh14,098 pay hike from the current Sh725,502 to 739,600.
Wambua said that the Senate will pass a resolution to reject the proposed salary increments.
“We are not interested in that pay rise. In fact, one of the conversations that we have been having is ‘where do we cut our own budget as Senate, as individual senators," he said.
“For the SRC to do what they have done, I want to say this on the floor of this House, shame on that institution.”
