MPs target other commissions as pay row rages

By Steve Mkawale

KENYA: A fresh plot by MPs to reduce the number of constitutional commissions and turn operations into part-time jobs is fast gaining support among the 349 legislators.

A section of MPs in the Rift Valley said they would support a proposal by Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo to trim the sizes of the various commissions arguing the institutions are drawing huge salaries, hence the high wage bill.

On Saturday, Tiaty MP Asman Kamama said most commissions duplicated roles, while others performed duties that could be done by core ministries and their secretariats.

“President Uhuru’s administration says it wants a lean Government. I will support the Bill because it is in line with the Jubilee vision,” said Mr Kamama.

He, however, said some commissioners should work full time. “Some commissioners should work full-time and others on an ad hoc basis. A needs assessment should be initiated,” the MP said.

He said the cost of running the commissions was too high while some of their functions could easily be performed by secretariats.

“Each commissioner has two sleek vehicles - four-wheel drive and saloon car, two body guards; and they only attend two or three meetings in a week. This is too expensive,” he said.

Kamama said the country should adopt the India model where constitutional commissions have between one and three commissioners on permanent basis where the rest work part-time.

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri said there was a need to review the terms of commissioners and give some short-term contracts. “To save the country unnecessary expenditures we need not to look at the salaries of MPs alone. The net should be cast wider,” he said.

Mr Midiwo, the Deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly, has said he was working on the Bill that would introduce the proposed changes.

Reasons for move

Molo MP Jacob Macharia has suggested all commissioners’ jobs be part-time to cut on the wage bill.

“Our recurrent wage bill is just too high to sustain and we are sacrificing our development agenda by paying unrealistic salaries and allowances,” he said.

The commissions the MPs have in mind include Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission; the National Land Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the Parliamentary Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the Public Service Commission.

Others are the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, the Teachers Service Commission and the National Police Service Commission.