SRC : Current Wage Bill Unsustainable

Speaking today, Thursday during the official launch of a report on the disparities on remuneration within the public service at KICC, Nairobi, SRC chairperson Sarah Serem said the current wage bill is unsustainable and a threat to the growth of the economy.

Serem also added that 12.5% of the Gross Domestic Product goes to payment of salaries hence the need for a review especially on allowances.

The report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, KIPPRA reveals that there is a huge difference between high and low earners within the public service.

The report further indicates that some civil servants take home an average of 1.6 million shillings in salary and perks monthly while the lowest take home 7,000 shillings per month.

Speaking at the same time, KIPPRA Executive Director Dr. John Amiti sounded his support saying that a review of salaries was necessary to ease the burden on the economy.

By Wangui Ngechu