Lang'ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, aka Jalang'o, has labelled the recent salary increment by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as a set up against legislators amid public unrest. 

In August 2023, SRC published a list of salary increments for all state officers except the president and his deputy as part of its third review cycle. The proposals took effect from July 1, 2024. 

Now, Jalang'o says he is not interested in the increment, joining a host of other legislators who have since rejected the new salaries. 

"There are things that almost look like a setup! We are in a crisis and SRC are proposing an increment of 14K! Yaani mnataka tupigwe tukufe ndio mfurahi? Mimi sitaki!," Jalang'o wrote in a social media post. 

Members of Parliament have recently received attacks from members of the public, after a majority voted 'YES' to the tax proposals in the 2024 Finance Bill.

The Bill not only led to nationwide protests but also the destruction of a number of businesses of MPs who were in its support. 

Nationwide protests led to President William Ruto rejecting the Bill in totality, sending it back to parliament for amendments. 

The salary increment for legislators and state officials has drawn angry reactions from Kenyans as it was among the issues that protesters wanted government to address.

On his part, President Ruto has promised austerity measures that seek to address the gaps left by the the rejection of proposals in Finance Bill 2024. Among them is scrapping of unconstitutional offices like that of the First Lady. 

Ruto has also said his government will focus on key projects in the Financial year 2024/2025.