By Ally Jamah
Nairobi, Kenya: Cabinet Secretary nominee for Labour Kazungu Kambi waded into the controversy surrounding MPs’ salary by sharply criticising the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s handling of the matter.
Responding to questions from the Members of the Appointment Committee, the nominee faulted the Sarah Serem-led Commission for violating international labour laws in slashing the MPs salaries from Sh860,000 to Sh532,000.
“The gazette notice of SRC regarding the salary for MPs was published only a few days to the General Election and according to the International Labour laws, that notice should not have been less than 90 days to give the relevant people ample time,” he said and added: “I am not contradicting the President on this matter but, I do feel that the due process of law was not followed by the Commission in setting the MPs salaries.”
Kambi also claimed that the Commission did not conduct sufficient consultations on the matter before setting on the figure of Sh532,000 saying the Constitution was violated in that regard.
Kambi called for structured discussions between MPs and SRC to resolve the matter. He said that his job as the Labour Secretary is to ensure that the interests of employers and employees are balanced adequately, without oppressing any party.
“I would be happy when all employees are laughing all the way to the bank. There is no shame in increasing the salaries and benefits if the economic indicators are right,” he said.
