Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma his defended the decision by Parliamentary Service Commission to award MPs Sh250, 000 monthly for rent, arguing that most MPs live deplorable lives.
In an interview with Nation on Thursday, Kaluma said he's aware of MPs who live downtown at River Road, adding that he knows three who live at servant quarters in Kilimani.
"MPs are living down River Road. We here MPs living where they should not be found. I once dropped a colleague from Coast in a residential unit he was living in Kilimani, only to find three MPs squatting in servant quarters. They have put double deckers like our students," he claimed.
PSC awarded MPs rent sparking heated debate with Salaries and Renumeration Commission. They backdated the dues to September last year.
SRC has since moved to court, arguing that the payments were made contrary to the constitution. They now want MPs to refund the money.
“The decision of the PSC to set and pay MPs a house allowance is antithetical to the rule of law. In addition, it contradicts the express and clear constitutional provisions in Article 230(4) (a) that empower the SRC to set and review the remuneration and benefits of State officers.
"Moreover, the decision violates the provisions of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity,” the petition goes on.