The public release of Hon. Peter Salasya’s June 2024 payslip has sparked controversy and debate surrounding the recent salary increments for state officers. This move comes in response to protests by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino against the salary increases announced by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The decision by the SRC to raise the salaries of Members of Parliament and Cabinet Secretaries has caused public outrage due to increased taxes and demands to cut public expenditure.

The payslip reveals that Hon. Peter Salasya’s gross salary for June 2024 was Ksh 1,164,527, which includes various allowances and benefits. However, extensive deductions significantly reduce his take-home pay, shedding light on the financial compensation of a Kenyan MP. These deductions include PAYE, NHIF, staff pension fund, housing levy, ration and messing, car loan, as well as savings and loan repayments, resulting in a net salary of just Ksh 2,364 for the month of June.

The controversy surrounding the salary increments and the public release of Salasya’s payslip has brought attention to the financial aspects of being a Member of Parliament in Kenya. The significant deductions from Salasya’s salary highlight the complex nature of financial compensation for state officers and the impact of taxes and loan repayments on their take-home pay. This revelation has sparked discussions about the fairness and transparency of the salary structure for MPs and state officers, prompting further debate and scrutiny.