President William Ruto's Cabinet sacrifices hefty salaries to help hungry Kenyans

President William Ruto’s Cabinet has opted to donate one month's salary to the National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund.

In a meeting held at State House on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, the nation's apex policy-making body decided to support Kenyans in drought-stricken areas.

“In solidarity with all Kenyans affected by the ongoing drought, the meeting resolved that all members will forgo one-month salary as their individual and collective contribution towards the ongoing State interventions that support all the Kenyans affected by the drought,” the statement from the Cabinet Office read.

According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, cabinet secretaries earn a monthly salary of Sh924,000.

Cabinet Secretaries during a meeting at State House on November 10, 2022 Pulse Live Kenya

This comprises a basic salary of Sh554,400, a house allowance of Sh200,000, and a market adjustment of Sh169,600.

As part of the long-term measures to address the cyclic drought situation and the cost of living, Cabinet assessed the food supply situation in the country.

“The meeting noted that the cost of the nation's staple food, maize, remains unacceptably high currently retailing at between Sh180 and Sh210 for a 2 kg packet,” the statement continued.

Kenyan farmers also got a reprieve after the team resolved to give local producers priority over imported maize.

“Cabinet noted that harvesting of maize was ongoing across the country, with this year's crop estimated to yield about 30 million bags of maize. In honour of our nation's sacred duty to our farmers, Cabinet resolved that the farmers' produce will be accorded priority access to the market,” the Cabinet Office shared.