President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, are set to receive a 10% pay rise, which will increase their combined annual salary from KSh 36.6 million to KSh 40.2 million.
This development has sparked outrage among Kenyans, who have taken to social media to express their discontent. Many have cited the government's struggles to fund doctors' and lecturers' salaries, as well as the ongoing doctors' strike, which has lasted for 75 days.
Some Kenyans have questioned the timing of the pay rise, given the country's financial problems. As one commenter, Emi Rates, wrote: "Okay. It is constitutional since article 151(2) states that their salaries and benefits won't be varied to their disadvantage while in office. Let them enjoy. But as they do that, let them know that some taxpayers are starving to death as we speak."
Others have criticized the move, with David Omondo writing: "What's going on? Are these guys even serious after the runaway loot and endless corruption.?this just adds up to the list of issues they will be voted out. #Sick"
The pay rise is conditional on the duo being re-elected in August 2017. However, many Kenyans have vowed to vote out the Jubilee government due to the various problems experienced during their tenure.
As Adalla Reagan wrote: "It's OK even if they want 100 billion per month, but August is coming soon."
The lecturers' union has also been demanding a pay rise, but they rejected a KSh 10 billion deal offered by Education CS Matiang'i.
Kenyans continue to express their dissatisfaction with the government's priorities, with some calling for the leaders to put the country's needs before their own. As Kirwa Kip Eliud wrote: "If the two leaders have the country Kenya at heart., then they shouldn't accept."
The recovered account cited reporting by Tuko.
