Uhuru backs SRC’s deep pay cut for public servants

President Uhuru Kenyatta. file photo | nmg 

By LYNET IGADWAH

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Summary

• The latest recommendations by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which reduce civil servants’ pay by Sh8.8 billion annually,  also affect Mr Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
• Under the changes, salaries paid to all ranks of elected leaders will also be fixed for their five-year term and will not be adjusted annually as is the case currently.
• The Economic Survey 2017 shows the wage bill of counties overtook the national government expenditure on workers for the first time in 2016, reflecting the financial burden of rapid wage increases.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has backed proposals by the public salaries body for deep cuts on workers’ perks.

The latest recommendations by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which reduce civil servants’ pay by Sh8.8 billion annually,  also affect Mr Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

Under the changes, salaries paid to all ranks of elected leaders — the President and his deputy, governors and representatives at the national and county assemblies — will also be fixed for their five-year term and will not be adjusted annually as is the case currently.

READ: MPs lose sitting and mileage allowances - VIDEO

“What the commission is saying is in line with what the Jubilee administration has embraced over time. Our agenda and plans have reflected this,” said Mr Kenyatta yesterday when he received SRC’s recommendations on public servants pay structure. He said that part of the Jubilee administration’s agenda has been to compensate public servants fairly while managing Kenya’s finances prudently.

The changes presented by SRC chairperson Sarah Serem have also hit speakers of the Senate and National Assembly, their deputies and the Majority and Minority leaders in both Houses. The new pay structure takes away allowances from governors and their deputies while members of county assemblies will not be entitled to mileage reimbursement, sitting allowances for plenary sessions and special responsibility perks.

The Economic Survey 2017 shows the wage bill of counties overtook the national government expenditure on workers for the first time in 2016, reflecting the financial burden of rapid wage increases.