Lawmakers want the Attorney General to scrap or change rules limiting salary deductions to 70 percent of civil servants' pay due to increased mandatory cuts. The parliament noticed many government workers take home less than 30 percent of their earnings monthly, violating employment laws. Rather than decreasing deductions, the Public Accounts Committee suggests removing or updating the act that makes excessive deductions illegal.
The committee blames President William Ruto's administration for introducing new deductions, including the Housing Levy, Social Health Authority payments, and updated National Social Security Fund rates. Butere representative Tindi Mwale said current laws become impractical when tax deductions eat away worker earnings. Section 19 of the Employment Act prevents employers from taking more than two-thirds of basic salary through deductions. Removing this protection would let the government deduct unlimited amounts from paychecks.
The committee plans to call Treasury officials to explain why thousands receive less than legally required. Recent months saw civil servant earnings shrink from multiple new deductions: 1.5 percent for housing, 2.75 percent for health insurance, and higher retirement contributions. Treasury officials must consult with Attorney General Dorcas Oduor about changing current rules. Lugari representative Nabii Nabwera warned that the issue will continue appearing in audit reports if left unaddressed.
The committee blames President William Ruto's administration for introducing new deductions, including the Housing Levy, Social Health Authority payments, and updated National Social Security Fund rates. Butere representative Tindi Mwale said current laws become impractical when tax deductions eat away worker earnings. Section 19 of the Employment Act prevents employers from taking more than two-thirds of basic salary through deductions. Removing this protection would let the government deduct unlimited amounts from paychecks.
The committee plans to call Treasury officials to explain why thousands receive less than legally required. Recent months saw civil servant earnings shrink from multiple new deductions: 1.5 percent for housing, 2.75 percent for health insurance, and higher retirement contributions. Treasury officials must consult with Attorney General Dorcas Oduor about changing current rules. Lugari representative Nabii Nabwera warned that the issue will continue appearing in audit reports if left unaddressed.
