Mvita Member of Parliament Mohammed Machele has joined other legislators in condemning the move by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to recommend an increase in salaries for various senior state officials.
A Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from SRC, noted that state officers were scheduled to get salary and benefit increments starting July 1.
Machele noted that salary increment is currently not a necessity.
"The are more pressing and crucial matters that need to be addressed by the executive and collectively the future of our country. Salary increment for Mps and government officials is not one of them." said Machele
In the new salaries, which are effective July 1, the Majority and Minority leaders are set to walk home with Sh800,019 from the previous Sh784,768.
Additionally, Members of Parliament and Senate will receive a pay rise from the initial Sh725,502 to 739,600.
Members of Parliament have recently received attacks from members of the public, after a majority voted 'YES' to the tax proposals in the 2024 Finance Bill.
The Bill not only led to nationwide protests but also the destruction of a number of businesses of MPs who were in its support.
Nationwide protests led to President William Ruto rejecting the Bill in totality, sending it back to parliament for amendments.
In a post on Facebook, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said MPs and other state officers should not be added even a coin.
"It's sad to increase salary while Kenyans have no jobs, Kenyans have no capital to start businesses, no money to pay fees and no money for medication," the MP said.
On his part Lanagat Mp Phelix Odiwour also opposed the move.
"We are in a crisis and SRC is proposing an increment of 14K! Yaani mnataka tupigwe tukufe ndio mfurahi? Mimi sitaki," he said.
