Dr. Kinity’s Letter to Atwoli Slams Ruto Government Over KDF Officers’ Poor Pay, Demands Urgent Salary Review
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Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity has launched a fierce attack on President William Ruto’s administration over the poor remuneration of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, Kinity describes the salaries paid to KDF officers as an insult, pointing out that they are the lowest in East Africa.
According to Kinity, KDF officers earn a minimum salary of Ksh 7,172 ($55) per month, an amount he says is nowhere near enough to support their families.
He compares this to their counterparts in neighboring countries, where Tanzania pays its soldiers $413, Burundi $178, and Rwanda $170.
He argues that despite Kenya’s extensive borrowing, tax collections, and international grants, funds that could improve the lives of KDF officers are instead looted and hidden in offshore accounts.
“It is shameful that while KDF officers struggle to afford basic needs, legislators are buying luxury wristwatches worth Ksh 17 million and helicopters for themselves and their families,” Kinity writes.
Beyond criticizing the government for financial mismanagement, Kinity accuses President Ruto of deliberately favoring the police over KDF officers.
He claims that the administration ensures police officers receive better salaries because they serve as personal bodyguards to government officials.
By keeping them well-paid and happy, Kinity argues, the government secures their loyalty while it continues plundering public resources.
“The money stolen from Kenyans every month is more than enough to pay KDF officers at least $500 per month,” he asserts.
Kinity also directs his frustration at Francis Atwoli, questioning his silence on the matter.
He reminds Atwoli that, as the leader of the country’s umbrella trade union, he has a duty to fight for better wages for all Kenyan workers, including KDF officers, who currently lack formal representation.
“It beats logic why you would watch KDF officers suffer while abnormal looting continues in Kenya. Why would you sit back as MPs buy properties abroad and luxury items while the very people who defend our nation are paid a pittance?” Kinity questions, urging Atwoli to act or step down.
Recalling their past encounters during the Moi regime, Kinity challenges Atwoli to reclaim the fighting spirit he once had. If Atwoli is too afraid of President Ruto, Kinity says, then he should resign and allow someone with courage to take over.
Beyond urging local action, Kinity has also reached out to international organizations, calling for external pressure on the Kenyan government.
He has copied his letter to the International Labour Organization (ILO), AFL-CIO, Public Services International (PSI), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the European Court of Human Rights (ECH).
His message is clear: the government’s treatment of KDF officers is unjust, and urgent intervention is needed.
This comes at a time when concerns over the welfare of Kenya’s security forces are growing, especially following the controversial deployment of police officers to Haiti.
Many critics argue that while the government is eager to send officers abroad for international missions, it has failed to take care of those serving within the country.
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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