CS Ruku Dismisses Claims of Plan to Reduce Civil Servants’ Salaries After SRC Pay Rise
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has firmly dismissed claims that the government is planning to reduce civil servants’ salaries, assuring public officers that no pay cuts are being contemplated following the recent remuneration review by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The clarification comes in the wake of reports suggesting that recent salary adjustments were aimed at introducing reductions. The claims surfaced even as national government employees commenced 2026 with a salary increment backdated to July 1, 2025, under Phase I of the 2025–2029 remuneration review cycle approved by the SRC.
Addressing concerns raised by sections of public servants, Ruku termed the reports misleading and urged employees to remain focused on delivering services to Kenyans.
“The government has no intention whatsoever of reducing the salaries of civil servants. These reports are false, misleading, and should be disregarded,” Ruku stated.
He emphasised that the administration’s focus remains on strengthening public service efficiency while safeguarding the welfare of government employees.
“Our priority is not to slash salaries but to implement measures that enhance take-home pay and improve the working conditions of our public officers,” he added.
Details of the new salary structure
Under the new structure released by the SRC, officers in higher job grades such as CSG4 will earn a basic salary ranging between Ksh185,690 and Ksh396,130. In addition, those stationed in Nairobi will receive house allowances of up to Ksh140,600.
Lower-grade employees, including those in CSG15, will earn between Ksh21,120 and Ksh26,250, with house allowances of up to Ksh4,500 depending on their duty station.
The SRC noted that the Salary Market Adjustment (SMA) framework is designed to align public sector pay with prevailing market realities while ensuring adherence to constitutional and statutory principles on fair remuneration and fiscal sustainability.
“The adjustments are guided by the need to balance equity, competitiveness, and the country’s economic context,” a senior SRC official explained.
The pay rise marks the first phase of the fourth remuneration and benefits review cycle covering the 2025–2029 period. Further reviews are expected to be implemented in subsequent phases, subject to economic performance and budgetary considerations.
Addressing anxiety among public servants
The rumours of potential salary cuts had triggered anxiety among sections of civil servants, particularly amid ongoing economic reforms and fiscal consolidation measures by the national government.
However, Ruku reassured public officers that no directive or policy exists to revise salaries downward.
“We urge our civil servants to ignore speculation and continue serving Kenyans diligently. There is no plan before the government to reduce anyone’s pay,” he reiterated.
Labour analysts note that salary reviews often generate confusion, particularly where allowances and statutory deductions are involved. They point out that while gross salaries may increase, changes in taxation or pension contributions can sometimes affect net pay, leading to perceptions of reductions.
Even so, the government maintains that the current review was structured to improve overall remuneration in a sustainable manner.
Broader fiscal context
Kenya’s public wage bill has historically been a subject of debate, with policymakers balancing the need to compensate public servants fairly against fiscal pressures and development priorities.
The SRC, established under the Constitution, is mandated to set and regularly review remuneration and benefits for state and public officers to ensure transparency, equity, and sustainability.
For now, the government’s message remains unequivocal.
“There will be no salary cuts. Our commitment is to a motivated and fairly compensated public service,” Ruku affirmed
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CS Ruku Dismisses Claims of Plan to Reduce Civil Servants’ Salaries After SRC Pay Rise
