Kenya president and Vice President take 80% salary cut to fund the fight against coronavirus
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has announced taking an
80% salary cut alongside Vice President William Ruto, to fund the fight against
coronavirus in the country.
Uhuru also disclosed that members of the federal cabinet would have their salaries slashed by 30 percent, while salaries of chief administrative secretaries and principal secretaries would be reduced by 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.
The Kenyan President who made the announcement at a press
conference on Wednesday March 25, said the salary cut was voluntarily agreed
upon by him and the officials to fund the fight against coronavirus in the East
African country which has 28 confirmed cases.
According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission
gazette notice of July 2017, Uhuru currently earns Ksh.1.44 million per month.
With the 80% salary cut, Uhuru will be getting Ksh.288,000
as salary. Vice President William Ruto who currently earns Ksh.1.22 million
monthly, will be getting Ksh.245,000.
The Cabinet Secretaries and Chief Administrative Secretaries
who currently earn Ksh.924,000 per month, will now get Ksh.646,000.
However, the Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and his National
Assembly colleague Justin Muturi have agreed to take a 30 % pay cut for three
months due to COVID-19 situation in Kenya. Speaking at the Parliament building
on Thursday March 26, the two Speakers disclosed that MPs from both Houses are
still consulting whether or not to take pay cut.
Also, President Uhuru had also announced a 100% tax relief
for all Kenyans earning below Ksh24,000 to cushion the effect of the
coronavirus pandemic. There is a 25% tax relief for other workers, as well as a
reduction of the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax rate from 30 % to 25 %.
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