“We Cannot Spend Money We Don’t Have,” Ruto to Striking Medics! Kenya’s President William Ruto has dismissed striking doctors’ demands for salary increment and interns’ allowances. Ruto claims that the government is dealing with a massive wage bill.
Speaking during a Sunday service at Eldoret AIC Fellowship Church, the Head of State stated that the country spends Kshs. 1.1 trillion out of the 2.2 trillion received each year on salary and wage payments.
“It is important for us to agree that we must live within our means. We cannot continue to spend the money we do not have,” said the President.
Ruto stated that Kenya’s wage bill is 47% higher than the recommended 35%, and it’s high time the country had a discourse about who is responsible for lowering the wage bill.
“Our wage bill is 47% of our revenue. It should be 35% according to the law. So we are way above. We need a conversation so that those of us who earn salaries are responsible. And we can reduce our wage bill so that we can free more resources to create jobs for our young people,” he reiterated.
Ruto agrees with the cabinet to decrease the budget from Ksh. 4.2 trillion to Ksh. 3.7 trillion so that the country can live within its means.
This is the first time the Head of State is addressing the strike led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). The strike marks its 25th day today.
On April 2, the government extended an olive branch to health workers, announcing that it would post all eligible medical student interns and invite them to pick their letters.
Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service stated that accrued Basic Salary Arrears will be paid in full, and Ksh.2.4 billion had already been disbursed to cover the interns’ deployment and posting.
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