Babu Owino writes to Speaker Muturi pledging half his salary to war on coronavirus

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has written to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi seeking to effect a donation of half his salary towards the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Mr. Owino now joins a list of leaders led by President Uhuru Kenyatta who have since taken voluntary pay cuts to free up funds to help in combating the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is now a reality that we must face head on. As leaders, we must all rally behind the president to ensure that we defeat the disease,” said the legislator in a letter seen by Citizen Digital.

“My conscience does not allow me to sit back and watch as Kenyans struggle to make ends meet during this difficult time. This is to therefore notify you that I will be donating 50% of my monthly salary to the national effort against COVID-19. I am requesting your good office to reflect the same.”

President Kenyatta, while announcing that he would be taking an 80% pay cut, urged other leaders to do the same and aid the government in thwarting the coronavirus.

The Head of State also announced that Deputy President William Ruto had also agreed to have his salary slashed by 80%, Cabinet Secretaries and their Chief Administrative Secretaries by 30%, and Principal Secretaries by 20%.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka and his National Assembly counterpart Justin Muturi on Wednesday announced that they would be following suit by taking voluntary 30% pay cuts as well.

Kenya has now recorded 31 positive cases of the coronavirus after three new infections were on Thursday announced by Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi.