LSK to sue over revoked gazette notice

By CAROLINE RWENJI

Kenya: The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have warned those who authorise MPs to be paid contentious higher salaries will face abuse of office charges.

LSK will today sue MPs for nullifying a salary gazette notice that slashed their pay.

LSK chairman Eric Mutua said they have strong grounds to overturn the decision made by MPs who revoked the legal notice in a struggle to revert to their original pay.

“We will be in court on Thursday and if not, the following day. We must stop what MPs are trying to do,” he said.

On Tuesday, MPs unanimously voted for a Motion by the Committee on Delegated Legislation that reinstated the huge pay after overturning a gazette notice that pegged it at Sh532,000.

This move has been highly opposed, with SRC accusing MPs of breaking the law by revoking the gazette notice.

SRC chairperson Sarah Serem has maintained her team is the only body with the mandate under the Constitution to set the salaries of all State officers, terming the MPs’ move as an exercise in futility.

The CIC has in writing asked the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury, the Controller of Budget and the Attorney General to respect the Constitution fully.

In the event that the money is remitted, Mr Nyachae said, “the CIC will institute proceedings in court against any officer who approves, makes or facilitates such payment”.