President Ruto Halts Pay Increases
Following significant public outrage, President W Amid significant public outrage, President William Ruto ordered the freezing of MPs’ pay rise and called for a review of pay for Kenya’s cabinet and parliament members. This decision comes a week after mass protests led him to abandon a controversial finance bill that included tax hikes.
Public Reaction Influences Decision
Lyn Mengich, Chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), announced on Wednesday that the salary increases for state officers would be frozen. She cited the current economic realities as the main reason for this decision. Initially, the SRC recommended a pay increase of 2% to 5% for all state officials, including judges, but public dissatisfaction prompted a reconsideration.
Senate and Public Service Response
Senator Solomon Adeola criticised the proposed salary increases, questioning the justification for raising politicians’ salaries amid a financial crisis. Discussions with the National Treasury further solidified the decision to halt the pay rises. Public Service Minister Moses Kuria confirmed that the increases would not apply to the cabinet, aligning with the president’s directive.
Protests and Economic Concerns
President Ruto faced substantial backlash from the public over the proposed tax hikes, which many argued were unaffordable due to the sharp increase in the cost of living. This public sentiment forced Ruto to abandon the tax plans and focus on reducing government spending instead.
Lawmakers Call for Rejection
Several lawmakers, including Aaron Cheruiyot from the ruling coalition and opposition MP Adan Keynan, voiced their opposition to the pay increases. They deemed the proposal “tone-deaf” and unjustifiable in the current economic climate, with the public calling for reduced taxpayer burdens.
Ongoing Protests and Government Response
The protests, led primarily by young people, have escalated into demands for President Ruto’s resignation and justice for the security forces’ actions against demonstrators. The state-funded rights commission estimates that 39 people have been killed in the recent demonstrations, further intensifying the public’s call for accountability and change.
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