Kenya's President Ruto Reverses Salary Hikes Amid Public Outcry.

President William Ruto of Kenya has ordered his ministers and parliamentarians to "live within their means," rescinding their recent salary increase in the face of widespread demonstrations and public outcry.

The Kenya State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohammed, made this announcement on July 3rd amid backlash over news of parliamentarians' and ministers' increased salaries. Mr. Mohammed stated, "The President has emphasized that now more than ever, the Executive and all arms of government must live within their means." In light of this, Mr. Ruto has also ordered a review of the salaries of his legislators and ministers.

On Tuesday, July 2, it was announced that the salaries of Mr. Ruto's ministries and Kenyan lawmakers had increased as of July 1. Local media reports state that the statewide protests, which have left hundreds of people injured and over 39 dead, coincided with the parliamentarians' and cabinet officials' pay increases.

Each of the 51 main secretaries who previously earned Ksh. 792,519 will now receive Ksh. 819,844. Each cabinet secretary who previously earned Ksh. 957,000 will now receive Ksh. 990,000 plus allowances. The National Assembly and Senate speakers' wages went up from Ksh. 1,185,327 to Ksh. 1,208,362, and the parliamentarians' salaries increased from Ksh. 725,502 to Ksh. 739,600.

Although Mr. Ruto's cabinet members and parliamentarians had discussed pay increases months prior, their implementation took place simultaneously with violent demonstrations over a tax increase. Consequently, Mr. Ruto is now compelled to declare that the pay increases for his legislators and ministers would be temporarily halted.