Senator Aaron Cheruiyot urges legislators to reject salary increment

While making his address at the Senate, Cheruiyot questioned why the SRC has remained silent during the anti-government protests, instead of forwarding solutions that would resolve the country's economic woes. 

He added that public officers including Members of Parliament have no option but to take pay cuts to reduce the ballooning wage bill. 

"SRC has been silent during these protests. They have to speak and tell us what is it that we do to reduce the wage bill from 46 per cent to mandatory 35 per cent. If it means taking a pay cut, we as members of parliament have been told that we will never do it. We don’t have an option, we must do it," he said. 

"The yearly increment that is being discussed, I saw it being reported or misreported that we are now going to earn more; SRC continues to be silent about it. We must make a resolution and say that we reject even that one in light of the financial situation."

Cheruiyot noted that the senators convened for a session on Tuesday off-camera where they discussed issues affecting the country. He noted that the Wednesday morning session aimed at addressing the issues and forwarding radical solutions to the country. 

"We had a session yesterday afternoon off-camera where we sat down and reasoned and said what can we make as a contribution. We're deeply embarrassed that it has taken young children to point to us that we're naked as leaders," he remarked. 

"I realised we're in extraordinary times and ordinary solutions cannot work this time unless we're serious and honest. We have come up with this motion which is just but the beginning of guiding our country towards solutions. The country complains of a broken system, that nothing works. That it is a rigged economy. We're being asked to fix it. Where this thing has reached, it needs an overhaul."

He also urged leaders to uphold integrity and serve the people diligently by practising empathy. 

"I didn't grow up as a child of privilege. I'm 38 years and came to Parliament aged 29. The first 29 years I spent in Eastlands. I have sold sim sim like kids you see on the streets. When I see them I reflect and know what it feels. Why is it when we're granted an opportunity to serve, we don't make it better?" he posed. 

Cheruiyot forwarded the motion for the National Assembly to fast-track recommendations by the president to delete all 69 clauses within the Finance Bill and to ensure all arms of the government practise austerity measures to curb exorbitant spending. 

In August 2023, SRC published a list of salary increments for all state officers except the president and his deputy as part of its third review cycle. The proposals took effect from July 1, 2024. 

Prime Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney General will now earn Ksh.990,000 from the previous Ksh.957,000. Also, Principal Secretaries, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji will earn Ksh.819,844 from the previous Ksh.792,519. 

In parliament, both Speakers of the House would receive an increment from Ksh.1,185,327 to Ksh.1,208,362. Their deputies will also earn Ksh.966,690 from Ksh.948,261. 

MPs and Senators would also earn Ksh.739,600 from the past Ksh.725,502.