President Ruto Eyes Civil Servants’ Pay Cuts
President William Ruto announced on Tuesday, July 4, that his administration was considering reducing the Government’s recurring expenditures, with a particular emphasis on civil servant salaries.
During the swearing-in ceremony for two Principal Secretaries at the State House, the Head of State stated that Kenya’s wage bill was unsustainable.
He noted that the government’s limited capacity to pursue development projects was a result of the escalating wage bill.
“The government is intent on striking the proper balance between development and recurrent expenditures,” the president stated, noting that his administration was spending more than necessary on salaries.
According to the Head of State, the Treasury was devoting 46% of the nation’s monthly revenue to salaries and wages.
“This is significantly above our goal of 35%. “We must strive to reduce the number,” the President warned.
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Ruto defended the decision by stating that his administration will ensure that the country’s development plan is not underfunded.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the government spent one trillion shillings on salaries during the fiscal year of 2022/23.
The percentage will increase if the Commission follows through with its plan to increase civil servant salaries by 8%.
A few days earlier, the President had approved a salary increase for a subset of civil servants but opposed an increase for high-ranking state officers.
Ruto opposed the pay increase until the SRC presented the international best practice to narrow the gap between those who serve the Kenyan people and Kenyans themselves.
“Due to the current economic climate, we have approved adjustments to the salaries of other civil servants beginning tomorrow.
“For the other people, the state officers, myself, my deputy, cabinet secretaries, permanent secretaries, and members of parliament, ours will wait,” declared the President on June 30.
President Ruto Eyes Civil Servants’ Pay Cuts
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