Kwale Women Rep Zainab Chidzuga at a past function. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Kwale Women Rep Zainab Chidzuga has backed the recent reduction of public officers’ salaries.
Speaking after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) announced the new payment plan, Chidzuga said the cut salaries should not be misused by a few individuals for their selfish gains at the expense of the common mwananchi. “The cut salaries should go to development, not other peoples’ pockets,” said Chidzuga, who is defending her seat on a Jubilee ticket in the forthcoming general election.Under the new payment system, the president is expected to take home Sh1,443,750 million from Sh1.65 million while his deputy will pocket Sh1.2 million from Sh1.4 million per month.Governors salaries have been reduced to Sh924, 000 million from Sh1.06 million whereas deputy governors will be paid Sh621,250 million monthly from Sh704,441 million.Senators’ and MPs’ salaries have been reduced to Sh621 250 million from Sh701, 000 million monthly. Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua are among the leaders who have welcomed the move. Governor Mutua said he is ready to take a further pay cut to save the country. On his part, Kiunjuri called upon politicians to back the changes.“Kenyans are saying more funds should be put into development. President Uhuru Kenyatta has supported the move. I also welcome it and ask the commission to slash it [pay] further,” he said.