Nominees to SRC vow to fight for MPs' perks

Salaries and Remuneration Commission member nominee Isaac Kipkemboi Melly. [Standard]

Nominees shortlisted to represent Parliament in the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) yesterday vowed to fight for better package for MPs.

The six nominees, who appeared before the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) for vetting, said that the 416 MPs have been unfairly targeted by SRC in its mandate of managing the country’s wage bill.

Those interviewed included former Wajir Senator Abdirahman Ali, two-time nominated MP Amina Abadalla, former Butere MP Andrew Toboso, former Uasin Gishu Senator Isack Melly,  former Butula MP Michael Onyura and former Kakamega Woman Representative Rachel Ameso.

PSC is seeking a member to the salaries commission after its nominee and former senator Halima Abdille was rejected by the House.

The nominees said MPs are State officers just like cabinet secretaries and judges but were not enjoying certain privileges like house allowances, among others.

They promised to champion the agenda of the MPs in the commission as well as deal with negative publicity against the lawmakers whenever they are pushing for better perks.

Ali told the vetting team chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi that he will seek to have other commissioners in the salary team to understand the role of an MP for commensurate remuneration.

He said the commission has made it appear that MPs are just after increasing their perks.

“There is so much negativity being portrayed about Parliament. If appointed, I will try and create a positive image showing the institution is not a money-making institution,” said Ali.

Abdalla said that there was a lot of misinformation about MPs' perks, stating that some officers in government were having better facilities than elected leaders.

He said those in the Cabinet have government vehicles which are insured and fueled for them on top of a driver paid by taxpayers.

He said MPs are forced to take car loan, fuel their cars as well as have it insured at their own cost.

Toboso said that his appointment as a commissioner to SRC will help address the current wrangles between the two commissions.

Melly said he would push for dialogue between SRC and the PSC.

He said this will ensure that any decision by SRC is arrived at after stakeholder engagement.

“I will look at the interest of MPs to ensure that that Parliament performs its mandate by getting the necessary allowances such as mileage, car grants and house allowance,” he said.

Muturi rejected Abdille nomination during a charged debate as MPs called for soberness and strict adherence to the law in approving the nominations.