President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Photo/Courtesy]
ADVERTISEMENT
Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa
A storm is brewing over the recommendation by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on pay cuts for State Officers.
Several Members of Parliament have come out to oppose the move, which was supported by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite the Jubilee Party leader hailing the SRC, headed by Sarah Serem, MPs allied to him have vowed to fight efforts aimed at taming the soaring wage bill.The angry MPs said the timing of the release and gazettement of the new salaries and allowances was suspect and unprocedural.“This demonstrates the level of dictatorship by the commission over others like the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC)," protested National Assembly Deputy Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali.Washiali is Mumias East MP, allied to Jubilee. [Photo/mediamaxnetwork.co.ke]The lawmaker said the SRC had gone against the country’s labour laws."We respect our party leader's position on this matter. However, what the SRC has done goes against the labour laws. Once a salary has been given to an individual, it cannot be reduced."Jubilee MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni) and Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu) termed the decision to cluster mileage claims in five zones discriminatory. "Without vehicles, movement will be a challenge. We should get Government vehicles domiciled in the constituencies,” said Kega.Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi (ODM), also dismissed the new scales as pure public relations and an exercise in futility. "It will not achieve much in the absence of political will at the top to fight corruption. The supposed saving of Sh8 billion, which translates to around 15 per cent, will be gobbled up in the usual way by known lords of impunity," said Mr Wandayi, as quoted by The Standard.Here is a summary of the proposed pay cuts:• President: Sh1.4 million from Sh1.65 million• Deputy President: 1.2 million from 1. 4 million• Cabinet Secretary: Sh924,000 from Sh1.056 million• Principal Secretary: Sh765,000 from Sh874,000• Governors: Sh924,000 from Sh1.056 million• MPs: Sh621,000 from Sh710,000• Speakers: Sh1.155 million from Sh1.30 million• Deputy Speaker: Sh924,000 from Sh1.006 million• Majority and Minority Leaders: Sh765,000 from 1.020 million• MCAs: Sh144,000 from Sh165,000• County Executives: Sh259,875 from 350,000The new structure takes effect after the August 8 General Election.