By STANDARD TEAM
Business was paralysed in Country Assemblies across the country after members boycotted sittings to protest alleged poor pay.
Members moved adjournment Motions in the 47 regional assemblies as the standoff over the new salaries set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) escalated.
Consideration of budgets for the various county governments and approval of nominees to executive committees are among key businesses disrupted by the protests.
County Speakers of the 47 assemblies claim they sent a protest to the Sarah Serem-led commission, but no response has been received to date.
In some assemblies the protests disrupted scheduled swearing-in of nominated members who had joined late because of a court dispute.
To address the spiraling public sector wage bill, SRC published a new pay structure for State officers that saw members of County Assemblies earn a monthly salary of Sh79,200, and house, committal and sitting allowances.
But the members have rejected the new pay saying it is too little and have demanded the commission reviews their perks to at least Sh350,000. In Baringo County, a section of the members who opposed the Motion to adjourn led by Kabartonjo Ward member James Cheptoo and Ripkwo’s Daniel Tuwit argued this would disrupt debate of the budget and vetting of the executive committee members.
In Kisii Assembly, documents tabled by members indicated they earned Sh36,000 as salary in March but took home Sh58,000 last month. They claimed there was no explanation for the disparities.
In Isiolo, Speaker Mohamed Tubi said the House had adjourned until further notice following the failure by the SRC to give them enough allowances like other State officers.
In Kakamega, the 60 members adjourned their sitting indefinitely and vowed they would not resume work until their salary demands were addressed. “Members have been riding on motorbikes to get to the assembly while some are forced to seek private accommodation in rundown lodgings within the town in order to attend sessions. The National Assembly is busy deliberating on its own salaries and no one is speaking on our behalf,” said Majority Leader Reuben Nyangweso, who moved the Motion.
Minority leader Steven Ambulwa of Chemuche ward seconded the Motion, saying it was an insult to members of the assembly to be expected to exercise oversight on a county budget of Sh10 billion yet their pay was a measly Sh42,000.
“The workload we are tasked with is not commensurate with the little pay we are being given,” said Mr Ambulwa. In Kisumu, the County Assembly Leader of the Majority, Samuel Ong’ou, said the leaders were frustrated as their security, accommodation and transport was not taken care of. Kisumu County Speaker Ann Adul told The Standard the ward representatives have not received pay since they were sworn in.
In Kisii the 45 members unanimously backed a Motion by Samson Nyagaka to adjourn House business until their grievances were addressed. In Nakuru and Baringo, county assemblies were also paralysed after representatives adjourned sittings indefinitely until their salaries are reviewed.?Migori, Siaya and Homa Bay also shut down.
– Stories by Rushdie Oudia, Bryan Tumwa, Bruno Mutunga, Robert Nyasato and Patrick Kibet
