Members of the National Assembly feel they are being demonised for no apparent reason in their push to maintain the salaries earned by their predecessors.
Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi
During debate on the president’s speech, Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi accused the civil society, the media and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of being unfair in portraying them as being selfish.
He said the National Assembly was under siege from the commission, the media and the civil society in an attempt to prevent the House from working effectively.
“This House is under siege, there is an onslaught by the SRC — who are idle —, the civil society and the media who have demonised us trying to make this House not perform its work effectively,” said Mr Angwenyi.
He pointed out that the MPs are just asking that their salaries be maintained at Sh851,000 per month, saying any reduction would be disadvantageous to the members.
Angwenyi urged the Parliamentary Service Commission, a body looking after the welfare of MPs, to pay the legislators the Sh851,000 as has been the case.
Salary petition
SRC revised the pay of MPs from Sh851,000 to Sh532,500, a move that has irked the legislators. A petition by Igembe South Member of National Assembly Mithika Linturi on the matter is awaiting debate in the House.
In the petition, Linturi questions whether a Constitutional Commission like the SRC has the powers to make laws or amend an Act of Parliament that set out the salaries payable to the MPs. The pay for legislators is outlined in the National Assembly Remuneration Act.
Tigania East member of the National Assembly Mpuri Aburi said members must stand united about their salaries because it is a war they must win.
At the same time Kajiado Central member of the National Assembly Joseph Nkaiserry wants the International Criminal Court to dismiss the Kenyan cases involving President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang’, saying Kenya is a sovereign state and cannot be micro-managed from The Hague.
By PETER OPIYO, The Standard
