MPs clash over bid to disband salaries commission

By Standard Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: Divisions have emerged among Members of the National Assembly over the campaign for the removal of commissioners in the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as retaliation for slashing their pay.

A section of MPs allied to the Jubilee coalition are plotting to oppose a petition by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi designed to trigger a tribunal for the removal of the commissioners on allegations of violating the Constitution.

A legislator from Nakuru County on Friday told The Standard On Saturday that like-minded MPs are lobbying to frustrate the Motion by Mr Linturi filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly. Molo MP Jacob Macharia said at least 50 legislators had distanced themselves from the petition saying: “We are in process of lobbying more to join in the bid.”

He said they were opposed to the motion on the basis that the current Government wage bill was too high compared to the revenue generated. “I would suggest we first maximise on tax collection by sealing all loopholes and improving our current tax collection capability from 20 per cent to an achievable 90 per cent. Once such revenue is achieved l would even move a motion to suggest the salary for MP’s to be 1.5 million or more,” he said.

Mr Macharia said MPs opposed to the salary increment were of the opinion the salary debate must also carry along the issue of minimum wage for all Kenyans that has remained low and always reviewed by 10 per cent annually. “All Kenyans deserve a wage increment. A forum to discuss their salaries and wages and for Parliament to only consider our salaries is both self-centred and not in the national spirit.

“In consideration of the fact that most Kenyans live on less than a dollar a day, putting such a heavy load on the economy at the moment will only make things tighter for the common mwananchi,” he said.

Linturi has filed a motion with the clerk of the national assembly seeking to have the commission chaired by Sarah Serem disbanded.  The MP has drawn up 10 charges, which he said would prove that the commission violated the law in its move to slash the pay package for the lawmakers.

On Friday, Macharia said they had been holding informal meetings to mobilise like-minded MPS to oppose the motion when and if it gets to the house. There have been fears that the Budget making process could suffer a blow if MPs decide to frustrate the process in their push for a reinstatement of the salaries paid to 10th Parliament legislators by deliberately delaying the appointment of the Cabinet planned for this week.