Covid-19: Kenyan Military Officers to Take Pay Cuts

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers are set to take pay cuts amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a memo sent to commanders in charge of various KDF units across the country, the officers were informed that their monthly salaries will be trimmed until the crisis ends.

The money raised from the pay cuts will be channeled to the country’s Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund.

“The threat and severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to pose health and socio-economic challenges across the world. Thus, the government has established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, in order to strengthen its response capacity,” part of the memo by the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua reads.

As a result, senior commissioned KDF officers in the rank of Lieutenant Colonels and above will take 20 percent pay cut while 2nd Lieutenant to Majors will have their pay slashed by 10 percent.

Non-commissioned officers in the rank of Private to Warrant Officers will contribute Sh750 each to the fund. 

In addition, Kinyua directed all Principal Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various commissions to take a pay cut effective April 2019.

Last month, President Uhuru and Deputy President William led by example by taking an 80 percent pay cut.

This means the two will take home less than Sh300,000 each, with Uhuru earning Sh288,000 from his Sh1.44 million monthly pay.

On the other hand, DP Ruto, who according to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) earns Sh1.22 million per month, will take home Sh245,000.

Kenyatta also announced that all Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) will take a 30 percent pay cut. This translates to Sh646,000 for CSs who are currently paid Sh924,000 per month.

Principal Secretaries (PSs), who earn Sh765,000 per month, will have their pay slashed by percent, meaning they will now take home Sh612,000.