MPs plead with Kibaki to solve their pay increase dispute

By Martin Mutua

The battle for the increment of MPs’ salary has now gone a notch higher after they demanded President Kibaki’s intervention.

During a tension-packed Speaker’s kamukunji, the members insisted they would not go on recess until their matter was addressed.

And Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who skipped the meeting, came in for a bashing.

Sources told The Standard the MPs accused Uhuru and Prime Minister Raila Odinga of playing populist politics by denouncing the pay increase.

"Members were unhappy with the two for playing to the public gallery because they are eyeing the presidency in 2012 and do not want to antagonise voters," said an MP who preferred anonymity.

And later in the afternoon, Uhuru became the subject of discussion in the House.

Speaker’s guidance

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale stood on a point of order just before question time and sought the guidance of the Speaker over Uhuru’s statement on the matter.

Dr Khalwale told the Speaker the Finance minister had never come to the floor of the House to explain himself about the matter yet he had been quoted outside the House rejecting the proposal.

The MP told the House they were baffled Uhuru had stated members were prepared to shoot down the Finance Bill yet the same was not expected until October 31.

But when Speaker Kenneth Marende sought to know from members whether anybody was willing to comment on the matter, none stood.

He, therefore, told the House he would be making a ruling next Tuesday.

During the morning Kamukunji, MPs were unanimous there was need for Kibaki’s intervention, arguing he alone could deal with the matter conclusively.

Last week, the House shot down an adjournment Motion by Government Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo over the matter.

They vowed their salaries would not be taxed midterm if their pay perks are not increased and vowed to paralyse Government operations, even if it meant going for early elections.

And the members also vowed they would not support any adjournment Motion until the matter has been resolved.

What the MPs want is an increment of Sh257,000, to cater for the tax deductions.

Paltry amount

The MPs are said to have argued at the meeting that almost all of them had committed their pay, including in mortgages and that most of them took home a paltry amount of money as wages.

"I can tell you that if you check the pay slip of majority of members, their take home is as low as Sh50,000 while some even get nothing because they have over committed their salaries. To introduce taxes without increasing their salaries will be suicidal," said a member.

The Finance Minister has said Treasury cannot shoulder the extra burden since the new salaries had not been factored in, in the budget.