Gachagua Admits Gov’t is Struggling to Pay Salaries for Civil Servants

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has admitted that the Kenya Kwanza administration is having challenges in paying the salaries of civil servants. 

Gachagua, who spoke at a church service in Mathira, Nyeri County on Sunday, said the financial challenges have also affected the disbursement of funds to counties.

“It is true we are having challenges in paying salaries, giving money to governors. Because the handshake government ripped this country, they borrowed money left right and centre. Because we are a responsible government, we have to pay this money,” said Gachagua. 

The deputy president pointed out that some of the loans matured last week and the government was forced to pay the debt. 

“What we collected the last two weeks was sufficient to pay the loans. What we are collecting this week will pay salaries and other requirements,” he added. 

Gachagua maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration inherited what he termed a “dilapidated economy” with empty coffers, adding that they have had to rebuild everything from scratch.

“We are in a difficult situation, we are not the ones who borrowed the money but have to pay because it is owed by Kenya. William Ruto cannot run away from those debts even though he did not incur them,” Gachagua said.

Members of Parliament are among public servants who are yet to receive their salaries for March due to the cash crunch.

Economist David Ndii, who heads Ruto's Council of Economic Advisors, said the delayed salaries were a result of the country’s huge debt.