Gachagua Challenges Cabinet Secretaries to Resign Amid Salary Dispute
Saturday, July 1st, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged dissatisfied Cabinet Secretaries to resign in response to President William Ruto’s directive to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to suspend their proposed salary increases.
Gachagua, speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet County during the Thanksgiving ceremony for National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, emphasized President William Ruto’s willingness to appoint alternative CSs who are willing to accept existing salary structures.
The Democratic Party urged President Ruto to redirect the proposed funds to bolster various economic sectors, including the purchase of additional fertilizers for farmers.
Gachagua issued a provocative challenge: “If there is a Cabinet Secretary who is unhappy with President William Ruto’s directive, you have the option to resign and let us find someone else who will accept that salary.”
Gachagua instructed all high-ranking state employees to reimburse SRC if it disobeys Ruto’s orders, to promote strict fiscal responsibility.
“We do not desire salary increases. Even if the money is located, we will not accept it. If you remit salaries with increased amounts, we will return them to the sender,” Gachagua said, urging a more inclusive and sustainable approach to managing the bloated wage bill.
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Returning the funds would also demonstrate Ruto’s commitment to promoting integrity and transparency within his administration.
However, he supported Ruto and indicated that other civil servants should receive salary increases beginning July 1.
As of July 2024, Cabinet Secretaries were anticipated to receive Ksh1,056,000, up from the current Ksh924,000.
On Friday, June 30, Ruto rejected SRC’s proposed 14 percent salary increase. Instead, the Head of State instructed the commission to create uniform pay stubs for all government employees.
“I’ve informed SRC that there is a globally accepted formula known as compression formula. Our salary increase will be withheld until I hear back from them that they’ve met the criteria.”
“But for the other individuals, the state officers, myself, my deputy, ministers, PSs, MPs, and so on. This salary would remain unchanged. Ruto ordered that the status quo continue until the SRC provides us with international best practices to close the gap.
According to the proposal, Ruto’s salary would increase from Ksh1,443,750 to Ksh1,650,000.
Gachagua Challenges Cabinet Secretaries to Resign Amid Salary Dispute
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