Parliament knows better than to strong-arm SRC

Whatever the merits of the Eleventh Parliament’s push to have its members’ salaries and allowances increased, the latest scheme to pursue its fight is disgraceful. Despite allegedly engaging the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in dialogue, as indicated by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, the House has not given up on intimidation as a means by which to get what they want. This is unacceptable behaviour, especially in a climate where the public, from whom Parliament gets its power, is against increases.

Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi on Thursday revealed that he has issued a notice to the Speaker for the removal of SRC team for cutting legislators’ pay. Linturi argues that the power to cut their pay was vested on Parliament and not SRC. This move departs from the position taken by the Speaker a week ago, indicating talks were under way to resolve the dispute over MPs’ pay. It also flies in the face of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sentiments at the State opening of the two Houses of Parliament this week on the burden of the public sector wage bill.