Former Secretary General of the Kenya Civil Servants Union, human rights activists and Current Member of the Presidential Advisory Board of the Republican National Committee, USA Dr.Isaac Newton Kinity has called out Kenyan government for failing to ensure better pay for Kenya Defence Forces personnel.
In a press release, Dr. Kinity argues that Kenya Defence Forces personnel are the most critical component on matters security and their salary should not be tampered with in any way.
According to Dr. Kinity, the minimum salary for the Kenyan armed men and women in uniform should be Kshs 50,000 per month or more.
He pointed out that the Kenya armed men and women in uniform (the KDF) have been neglected by successive leaders in Kenya.
In addition, Dr. Kinity added that they have been neglected by the Kenya Parliament and by the trade unionists in Kenya.
“They are the most lowly paid workers in Kenya at a minimum monthly salary of Kshs. 7,172 an equivalent of $55 per month. The KDF personnel have been underpaid for too long. It is time to honor and respect the Kenyan armed men and women in uniform (the Kenya DF),” he stated.
Dr. Kinity expressed his disappointments that Tanzania, Burundi and Rwandan Armies are well paid compared to Kenyan KDF.
He wondered why this was happening yet the Kenyan shilling was said to be doing well.
“It is sad, disappointing, annoying, and shameful to see the Tanzania, Burundian, and Rwandan Armies being paid much more salaries than the KDF. Why is this happening yet the Kenya shilling is said to be more stable than all the other East African currencies?,” he stated.
Statistics indicate that the minimum pay for Tanzanian Army officers is Tsh. 1,050,050 per month, which is $413 per month. The minimum pay for the Burundian Army officers is 528,925 BIF per month, which is $178 per month, while the minimum pay for the Rwandan Army officers is 237,017 RWF per month, which is $170 per month.
In Kenya, the minimum pay for the KDF officers is Kshs.7,172, which is $55.47 per month.
The minimum salary of the Kenya police force is Kshs25,645 per month, which is $201 per month.
“How would any Kenyan survive on a monthly salary of Kshs. 7,172?.,” wondered Dr. Kinity.
The good governance activist says The Kenya government should not cry about a shortage of funds to pay the KDF better salaries when the Kenyan MPs and the Kenyan Senators are among the most highly paid legislatures in the world.
According to him, the Kenya government should not cry a shortage of money to pay the KDF better salaries when MPs and the Senators are buying more than one helicopter each for their own personal travel.
“The Kenya government should not cry shortage of funds to pay better salaries to the KDF when the MPs and the Senators are buying wrist watches that are costing them Kshs.17 million ($170,000) each. A salary of Kshs.7,172 ($55) per month is an insult and an abuse to the KDF men and women in uniform,” he stated.
His sentiments coming days after Kenya government announced that KDF will have to cater for their lunch.
