Ruto Orders Review of Salary Increase for Cabinet, MPs, and Government Officials

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• President Ruto has directed a reassessment of the August 2023 Gazette Notice on state officers’ pay due to fiscal challenges and public outrage over proposed salary increases.
• Public Service CS Moses Kuria declined the proposed pay hike, citing the unsustainability of the public wage bill consuming 35% of national revenue.

President William Ruto has instructed the National Treasury to reassess the Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). 

This notice addresses the remuneration and benefits of State officers in the Executive of the National Government, the Senate, the National Assembly, and county governments.

This directive comes in the wake of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and the anticipated fiscal challenges for the current financial year. 

President Ruto emphasized the importance of financial prudence across the Executive and all arms of government, underscoring the necessity for the government to operate within its means during these financially strained times.

The directive follows public outrage regarding the proposed salary increase for the Executive and Parliament. 

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Public Service CS Moses Kuria has also communicated with the SRC regarding the proposed increase. 

In his letter, CS Kuria officially declined the implementation of the Gazette Notice, which proposed increased remuneration and benefits for state officers at both the national and county government levels.

Referencing the Third National Wage Bill Conference held in 2024, Kuria emphasized the unsustainability of a public wage bill consuming 35 percent of national revenue, amounting to Sh1.1 trillion annually. 

He pointed out that this situation leaves only 54 percent of revenue for other critical areas, such as servicing debt and development.

Kuria reiterated that the current fiscal situation presents both a moral and economic issue, highlighting that the rising expenditures on salaries and benefits for public servants are placing a significant strain on national finances.