Angry Uhuru takes action against MPs asking for salary increment

dennis kibet

August 24, 2017 11:14 AM

An emotional Kenyatta warned the newly elected MPs before next week's parliament re-opening.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent out a stern warning to MPs who have planned to reject the new salary structure that substantially reduces their salaries and allowances and have the old figure retained.

While addressing the head teachers forum at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on Thursday, Kenyatta promised not to sign any bill meant to increase MP salaries.

“I am stating to everyone that If the Supreme Court rules in my favour and I remain President, I swear to you that I shall not sign the bill increasing MPs salaries,” Kenyatta declared.

The President said he fully supported the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommendations which slashed MPs salaries from Sh710, 000 to Sh620, 000.

Special responsibility allowances, as well as mileage and sitting allowances have all been abolished under the new structure that is set to take effect once parliament is re-opened at the end of August.

“It is shameful that these people have not realized issues that made Kenyans angry. There cannot be a class of citizens who believe that they are servants more than the rest,” Kenyatta warned.

The lawmakers through the Parliamentary Service Commission have accused SRC of unfairly targeting them in its efforts to slash the public wage bill.

Homa Bay Woman Representative-elect Ms Gladys Wanga, who is a member of PSC, accused the salaries commission of embarking on a mission to drastically reduce MPs’ pay and allowances without having carried out a job evaluation exercise as required by the Constitution.

“There is a sustained campaign by SRC to reduce MPs to beggars and people who move from one office to another asking for handouts and this will not happen under our watch,” Wanga complained.

dennis kibet