In a move aimed at mitigating the impact of soaring living expenses, Kenya’s state officers, including the President, Deputy President, Cabinet Secretaries, and Members of Parliament (MPs), are set to receive a significant salary increase of approximately 14% over the next two years, starting next month. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has proposed this review to alleviate the financial burden caused by high inflation, which has eroded personal incomes and led to higher prices of essential consumer goods.
If approved, the proposal will provide much-needed relief to state officials grappling with the effects of inflation. President William Ruto, for instance, is expected to see a 7.1% increase in his monthly gross remuneration package, rising from the current amount of Sh1,443,750 to Sh1,546,875, starting in July 2023. This will be followed by a further 6.7% raise to Sh1,650,000 from July 2024.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s monthly compensation will increase to Sh1,367,438 from the current Sh1,227,188, beginning on July 1, with a subsequent rise to Sh1,402,500. This represents a cumulative 14.3% increase in his remuneration package over the two-year period.
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The pay raises also extend to Cabinet Secretaries, who will see their monthly remuneration rise to Sh1,056,000 from July 1, 2024, up from the current Sh924,000.
Members of Parliament, including senators, will witness their earnings increase to Sh741,003 and Sh769,201 in the upcoming financial years, respectively, compared to the current Sh710,000. It is important to note that this 8.3% cumulative wage increase does not include committee sitting allowances, which will remain capped at Sh120,000 per month.
At the county level, governors will receive a compensation increase similar to that of the President. Their monthly payment is expected to rise to Sh1,056,000 by July 2024, up from the current Sh924,000. Members of the County Assembly will also experience a pay raise, with their monthly remuneration set to increase to Sh164,588 from the current Sh144,375 in just over a year, following the SRC’s recommendation.
Additionally, other state officers, including principal secretaries, the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice, the Auditor-General, judges, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Inspector-General of Police, and the chairpersons of key commissions such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, are expected to benefit from salary adjustments.
The proposed changes to the compensation of state officers, announced by the SRC on Thursday, also cover allowances and benefits such as car loans, mortgage benefits, pensions, and medical and hospital insurance.
To ensure public input, the SRC has invited comments on the proposed remuneration packages before issuing a gazette notice to enact the new salary structures for state officers. This move aims to strike a balance between addressing the financial challenges faced by state officers due to inflation and maintaining transparency in the process.
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