In a compassionate move some have call populist, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced 25th March he and deputy president William Ruto would take an 80% salary cut to contribute towards efforts to counter Coronavirus.
“In sharing the burden occasioned by the present global health pandemic, over the duration of the global crisis and commencing immediately, my Administration has offered a voluntary reduction in the salaries of the senior ranks of the National Executive,” he said.
The pay cuts
That move has turned the pay scale in the upper echelons of the executive upside down, leaving those working below the top leadership earning more than their bosses.
After the pay cut, Mr Uhuru who earns a basic salary of Ksh1.44 million per month, according to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, will be eligible for only Ksh280,000 a month. William Ruto’s salary will shrink from Ksh1.22 million to just over Ksh240,000. President Uhuru’s Salary annually is Ksh19.8 million.
Interestingly, for the first time, Cabinet Secretaries, who have been given a 30% pay cut, will be earning more than the president and deputy president, who are their bosses. This is because their pay cut was lower at only 30%.
Cabinet Secretaries, who take home Ksh924,000 per month, will be earning Ksh640,000. Principal Secretaries currently earning Ksh765,000 will get a 20% pay cut to Ksh610,000, while Chief Administrative Secretaries will take a 30% pay cut.
“I call on the other arms of Government and tiers of Government to join us in this national endeavour, by making similar voluntary reductions; which will free-up monies to combat this pandemic,” he pleaded.
But in a capitalist where people love their shilling, not much is expected in terms of public officers taking pay cuts, except perhaps populist MPs.
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FULL LIST OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE (as at March 2020)
1. Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Dr. Fred Okengo Matiang’i, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Patrick K. Ole Ntutu
Principal Secretary: Dr. Eng. Karanja Kibicho, C.B.S. (Interior)
Principal Secretary: Maj.Gen.(Rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa, C.B.S. (Immigration & Citizen Service)
Principal Secretary: Ms. Zainabu Abdallah Hussein, C.B.S. (Correctional Services)
2. Ministry of Defence
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Amb. Raychelle A. Omamo, E.G.H.
Principal Secretary: Mr. Torome Saitoti
3. The National Treasury and Planning
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Henry K. Rotich, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Nelson Gaichuhie
Principal Secretary: Dr. Kamau Thugge, C.B.S. (Treasury)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Julius Monzi Muia, E.B.S. (Planning)
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Amb. Dr. Monica K. Juma, C.B.S.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Ababu Namwamba, E.G.H.
Principal Secretary: Amb. Macharia Kamau, M.B.S.
5. Ministry of Industry, Trade & Co-operatives
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Peter Munya, M.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: –
Principal Secretary: Ms. Betty Chemutai Maina, C.B.S. (Industrialization)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Chris Kiptoo, C.B.S. (Trade)
Principal Secretary: – Mr. Ali Noor Ismail, CBS
6. Ministry of Health
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Sicily K. Kariuki, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Dr. Rashid A. Aman
Principal Secretary: Ms. Susan N. Mochache, CBS
7. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, M.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Dr. Andrew Tuimur, C.B.S.
Principal Secretary: Dr. Richard L. Lesiyampe, C.B.S. (Crop Development)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Harry Kimutai (Livestock)
Principal Secretary: Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga (Agriculture Research)
Principal Secretary: Prof. Japheth Micheni Ntiba, C.B.S. (Fisheries, Aquaculture & the Blue Economy)
Principal Secretary: Prof. Fred K. Segor, C.B.S. (Irrigation)
8. Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. James Wainaina Macharia, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Christopher Obure, E.G.H.
Principal Secretary: Ms. Esther Koimet, C.B.S. (Transport)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Julius Korir (Infrastructure)
Principal Secretary: Prof. Paul Maringa Mwangi, C.B.S. (Public Works)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Charles Hinga Mwaura (Housing & Urban Development)
Principal Secretary: Mrs. Nancy Karigithu, C.B.S. (Shipping & Maritime)
9. Ministry of Devolution and the ASALS
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Amb. Tuneya Hussein Dado
Principal Secretary: Mr. Charles Talengo Sunkuli, C.B.S. (Devolution)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Michael PKopus Powon, C.B.S. (ASALS)
10. Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT)
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Joe Mucheru
Chief Administrative Secretary: –
Principal Secretary: Mrs. Fatuma Hirsi, C.B.S. (Broadcasting & Telecommunication)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Jerome Okoth Ochieng’ (Information Communication Technology)
11. Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage
Cabinet Secretary: HON. Amb. Amina C. Mohamed, EGH
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Hassan Noor Hassan, E.B.S.
Principal Secretary: Amb. Peter Kirimi Kaberia, C.B.S. (Sports)
Principal Secretary: Ms. Josephta Mukobe, C.B.S. (Culture & Heritage)
12. Ministry of Education
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Prof. George A.O Magoha
Chief Administrative Secretary & Principal Secretary: Hon. Prof. Colletta Suda, C.B.S., FKNAS (University Education and Research)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang (Early learning & Basic Education)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Kevit Desai (Vocational & Technical Training)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Alfred Cheruiyot (Post-Training & Skills Development)
13. Ministry of East African Community (EAC) and Regional Development
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Adan Abdulla Mohamed, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Ken Obura
Principal Secretary: Dr. Margaret Mwakima, CBS (East African Community (EAC))
Principal Secretary: – (Northern Corridor Development)
14. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Amb. Ukur Yattani Kanacho
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Abdul Bahari
Principal Secretary: Eng. Peter Kiplagat Tum, OGW (Labour)
Principal Secretary: Mr. Nelson Marwa, E.B.S. (Social Protection, Pensions & Senior Citizens Affairs)
15. Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Najib Balala, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: –
Principal Secretary: Mr. Joe Okudo, C.B.S. (Tourism)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Susan Koech, C.B.S. (Wildlife)
16. Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Keriako Tobiko, C.B.S.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Mohamed Ibrahim Elmi, E.G.H.
Principal Secretary: Dr. Ibrahim M. Mohamed C.B.S. (Environment & Forestry)
17. Ministry of Water and Sanitation
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Simon Chelugui
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Winnie Waceke Guchu
Principal Secretary: Mr. Joseph Wairagu Irungu, C.B.S.
18. Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Farida Chepchumba Karoney
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Gideon Mung’aro
Principal Secretary: Dr. Nicholas Muraguri, C.B.S.
19. Ministry of Energy
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Charles Keter, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Simon Kachapin
Principal Secretary: Dr. Eng. Joseph K. Njoroge, C.B.S.
20. Ministry of Petroleum and Mining
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. John K. Munyes, E.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Dr. Eng. John Mosonik, C.B.S.
Principal Secretary: Mr. Andrew Kamau Ng’ang’a (Petroleum)
Principal Secretary: Mr. John Murangi Omenge (Mining)
21. Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender
Cabinet Secretary: Hon. Prof. Margaret Kobia, M.G.H.
Chief Administrative Secretary: Hon. Rachel W. Shebesh
Principal Secretary: – (Public Service)
Principal Secretary: Ms. Safina Kwekwe (Gender)
Principal Secretary: Dr. Francis O. Owino (Youth)
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