Fears of delayed salaries has gripped a section of public servants after a revelation by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday this week.
Teachers and Civil Servants are afraid that the sentiments by the DP could mean beginning of delayed payments of their salaries and allowances.
Immediately after President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua took oath of office, word went round that the public coffers are dry and empty.
The first allegations were made by Nandi County Senator, Samson Cherargei, who claimed that President William Ruto only found Sh93.7 million in the Treasury.
In a statement on Saturday last week regarding the economy, the Senator also asked Kenyans for patience saying the matter is being handled to get the country back on track.
“The economy is no longer in ICU but death because H.E Ruto found only Sh93.7M at the treasury, Uhuru went home with everything. State Capture is REAL !” he said on Twitter.
The following day which was on a Sunday, the Deputy President affirmed the Senators word that the government they inherited has no money.
However the DP said money is available for paying salaries to public officers but said they have none for development.
“The situation is very bad, there is no money in the Treasury at all, and the little that we are collecting goes to salaries and you have to keep the country going so we need to do a lot to boost production. In another 90-100 days the economy will start feeling the effect of good management,” said Gachagua.
Teachers have been getting their salaries mostly on 26th day of the month. However county including public health workers have been experiencing delays in salary payment with some going even months without pay.
Currently counties have received their funding from the Treasury for the past three months and governors are waiting for the government’s directive on the delayed county funding.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati said they are hopeful that Ruto will keep his word on funding and transfer of functions to counties.
“Counties are staring at a looming workers strike because they were last paid in July. The new governors are not sure of how to deal with this. We hope the monies will be disbursed on time,” Arati said.
Despite the statements on the state of economy of the country, some public officers are still hopeful of getting their salaries early.
