SRC says it will 'consider' Ruto's proposal to delay salaries for State officers

SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich during a media briefing on the proposed remuneration. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has defended the decision to review salaries for State officers upwards.

SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich on Saturday, July 1, said the proposed salary increments were part of a four-part review cycle of salary increments for public and civil servants.

Responding to President Willliam Ruto’s proposal to delay the increments for State officers, Mengich said the commission will consider the proposal, and make a final decision.

“The President has given us his views, we are doing public participation, and invite stakeholders with similar views to write to the commission, if they reject the proposals.”

“We will consider them in the five principals of pay determination and take a decision on where the pay will be,” said Mengich.

On Friday, the Head of State suggested that SRC hold off on adjusting the salaries for State officers including himself, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet, and Principal Secretaries.

Ruto said an increment in salaries for top government officers can wait, while SRC reviews those of civil servants including teachers, police, and military officers.

 “I know there is a proposal by SRC for the increase of salaries of different cadres of both civil servants and other public servants. So our teachers, policemen, military space, and those working in government, we have agreed that from tomorrow (July 1) your salaries will be adjusted between 7 and 10 percent,” said Ruto.

“Salaries for state officers like myself, my deputy, ministers, principal secretaries, and those other top officials…let us wait for a while please, our salaries will remain unchanged.”

The commission also said it will review the pay for top-earning Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of State corporations, noting that the pay has not been harmonized.

“There are some State corporations where the CEO earns as high as Sh3 million, whereas the president earns Sh1.6 million. The pay has not been harmonized and that is a journey we are going to take,” added Mengich.

The Remuneration Commission had notified that a review in salaries for State officers and civil servants will take effect as of today, July 1.

According to a circular by SRC, Ruto's salary was set to go up by more than Sh100,000, from the current Sh1,443,750 to Sh1,546,875 while that of Gachagua was set to rise from the current Sh1,227,188 to Sh1,367,438.

Additional reporting by David Muthoka.