Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has faulted the National Treasury for trying to increase the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs).

Speaking to a local TV station on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Onyonka claimed that the government, especially the National Treasury, has deliberately made some structures dysfunctional.

“There are certain structures that have been made deliberately dysfunctional. Somebody in Treasury decided to increase our salaries and I never asked for a salary increment. You can’t give me what I didn’t ask for. An MCA right now is earning Ksh81,000 and you are making my salary Ksh1 million? At least they should give MCAs their money,” he stated.

Onyonka has previously opposed salary increments for civil servants, arguing that the funds would be better utilized in supporting vulnerable children who are struggling to access education.

“We never asked for any salary increment. Let that money be channelled to the needy children of this country who are not able to access education. An additional Ksh360,000 to my payslip as a senator can not be a priority when we are grappling with such tough and unbearable economic times as a country!” he stated.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has also voiced his dissatisfaction with the planned salary increments, urging lawmakers to reject the offer.

Methu said he would officially communicate his refusal to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), terming the raise untimely and insensitive to the economic realities Kenyans face.

“I never asked for a pay rise. I urge other members of the Senate and National Assembly to reject the increase considering the President’s call to reduce government expenditure. Such an increase is untimely and will just end up overburdening the taxpayers,” Methu said.