President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday threw out a secret bill by Members of the Parliament, where they are seeking to decide their own salaries and allowances.
In the amendment bill which was quietly crafted and sneaked into the Parliamentary Service Bill of 2018, the members want to personally handle issues touching on their pay.
They are consequently seeking to take away the job of the Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC), handing the power to the two houses; National Assembly and Senate.
However, Uhuru rejected the bill on grounds that only SRC has the mandate to review salaries of public officials.
He further took issue with a proposal that Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) be given power to review their domestic and international trip allowances without consulting the SRC.
Uhuru directed the members to delete the two clauses before he can look into the bill.
“In the exercise of powers conferred on me by Article 115 (1) (b) of the Constitution, I refuse to assent to the Parliamentary Service Bill, 2018, for the reasons set out,” said the president.
The MPs also want more privileges, including better perks and would have conferred them a number I'd allowances, including Sh24,000 night allowance and Sh250,000 house allowance.
It would have also seen them receive better facilities and treatment, including researchers, uninterrupted internet, and a room for parliamentary parties to caucus.