State officials including President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries and Member of Parliaments are set to receive a 14% pay rise for the next two years if the recent salaries review is approved.

The review proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is aimed at cushioning state officials from the high cost of living.

President Ruto’s salary will be increased from Ksh1.44 million to Ksh 1.56 million in the 2023/2024 financial year. The salary will further increase to Kshs1.65 million  in the 2024/2025 financial year. DP Gachagua on the other hand will earn Kshs 1.4 million from the current 1.23 million.

The salary for Cabinet Secretaries salary will be elevated from Ksh. 924,000 to Ksh 1,056,000 per month. Members of Parliament and senators new salaries will be increased to a significant amount of Ksh 741, 003 and Ksh 769, 201 from the current Ksh 710,000.

County Governors and Members of County Assembly salaries will be raised from Kshs 924,000 to Kshs1,056,000 and Kshs144, 375 to Kshs164, 588 respectively.

Others who will benefit from the pay rise include Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, the Auditor General, Director of Public Prosecution Inspector General of Police and chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

This comes at a critical time when the country’s economy is worsening. However, other civil servants and workers will continue are however unlucky as their pay remains intact despite the heavy taxes imposed on them.

The review by the commission has stirred mixed reactions among Kenyans with  some viewing  it as an act of selfishness especially during a time when inflation is plunging the nation. Others support the commission claiming government operations are hectic to run without financial stability.