Planned go-slow over pay may ground counties

By Roselyne Obala

Nairobi, Kenya: Operations of county governments might be halted if a countrywide go-slow by ward representatives over pay hikes persists.

The more than 1,000 county ward representatives have threatened to paralyse County Assembly sittings if their demand for better remuneration is not implemented.

Already a committee chaired by Nuh Nassir, who is also the chairman of the County Assembly Speakers’ Forum, is engaging the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to review the packages.

Speaker of the Senate Ekwe Ethuro said the Sarah Serem-led commission should review the ward representatives’ salaries for effective oversight roles and representation of area sizes. “The county representatives should be remunerated well to enable them undertake the duties are required.”

The meeting brought together county Speakers, Majority and Minority leaders and members of the public who are part of the board.

Negotiations

Ethuro said President Uhuru Kenyatta decision to assent to the Division for Revenue Bill, 2013 rubbishes all county budget estimates as prepared before he signed the Bill into law. “All budgets must be downsized meaning direct reduction of project allocations.”

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende sought to remind the county representatives that SRC has the mandate to advise on their salaries.

The commission set the salaries at Sh79,000 and the County representatives want it to the reviewed to Sh105,000, which is in inclusive of transport and responsibility allowance in the case of Majority and Minority leaders.

Marende admitted SRC is right to set salaries and the elected leaders can only engage it for negotiation.