Dr. Kinity Demands Minimum Kshs. 50,000 Monthly Salary for KDF Personnel
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Former Secretary General of the Kenya Civil Servants Union, Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity, has issued a passionate appeal to the government to urgently raise the minimum salary of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel to Kshs. 50,000 per month, citing neglect, demoralization, and the growing burden of economic hardship on service members.
In a strongly-worded statement posted online, Dr. Kinity criticized the current minimum pay of Kshs. 7,172 per month as “a disgraceful injustice” to men and women who risk their lives in service to the country.
He described the current pay as “barely enough for survival,” and demanded immediate financial reprioritization by President William Ruto’s administration.
“Kenya is not at war with any country, and the military is not as urgent as minimizing or ending the suffering and the agony the KDF is undergoing today,” Dr. Kinity stated.
“The war in Kenya is between the government and the suffering, agonized Kenyans who are armless.”
According to Dr. Kinity, national funds , including those raised through borrowing , should be channeled to improve the lives of KDF personnel and their families rather than being spent on military hardware and equipment.
“Military equipment is not unnecessary, but it is not urgent,” he argued. “What is urgent and extremely necessary is the increase of the KDF salary.”
He further lamented the reported scrapping of lunch provisions for soldiers, terming it “awkward and unwarranted,” especially given the physical demands and nature of military work.
“William Ruto should also make sure he reinstates the decades-old provision of lunches to the army men and women in uniform,” he said. “It was a senseless decision to deprive the KDF of lunches, knowing so well that they are necessary due to the kind of work they do.”
Dr. Kinity’s comments come at a time when questions are being raised over the welfare of security officers in Kenya, with both police and military units reportedly grappling with poor working conditions, limited mental health support, and stagnant pay despite inflation and the rising cost of living.
While the government has continually invested in modernizing security infrastructure and weaponry, critics argue that insufficient attention is being paid to the welfare of personnel who operate behind the scenes.
A recent parliamentary report highlighted growing dissatisfaction among lower-ranking KDF personnel, with issues ranging from limited housing allowances to inadequate family support programs.
Dr. Kinity, who now resides in the United States, remains an outspoken voice on governance and social justice issues in Kenya.
His previous calls for pension reforms and civil service restructuring have garnered attention both in the diaspora and back home.
In his latest plea, Dr. Kinity challenged the government to reflect on its national spending priorities and adopt a people-first approach in times of economic strain.
“Before buying more weapons, let us first feed and fairly compensate those who protect this nation,” he emphasized.
His call echoes broader frustrations among Kenyan citizens over public sector salaries, perceived wasteful expenditure, and allegations of misplaced priorities in national budgeting.
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
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