County executives tell SRC to harmonise pay or else...

MOMBASA: County executives Monday threatened the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) with legal action over harmonisation of pay.

The 460 executives, who are meeting in Mombasa, also accused governors and county assemblies of harassment and not appreciating "our roles as implementers of devolution".

Forum Chairman Anthony Njaramba, said their remunerations were supposed to be at par with county assembly speakers but the latter's salary had been doubled while their salaries still remained the same. County assembly speakers earn an average of Sh500,000 compared to executives who take home Sh280,000, Mr Njaramba said.

He said said SRC should harmonise their salaries and job groups to improve their employment scheme and protect them from unnecessary interference.

"We are the implementers of devolution whose successes are today spoken about across the country but we read of constant harassment and threats of impeachment and reshuffles every day. It is time executives also worked in a comfortable environment, Njaramba said.

"This is a matter we have talked about for the last three years. If SRC fails to do so we will look for other options like courts."

The two-day meeting being held at Pride Inn in Mombasa is a precursor to the 3rd Annual Devolution Conference slated for March 19 to 23 in Meru County.

The conference aims to evaluate the successes, challenges and opportunities of devolution. The first and second meetings were held in Kwale and Kisumu.