Kenyan MPs in Fresh Push for Pay Increment

Kenyan MPs could soon get a pay increment if recommendations of a House Committee are adopted by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Parliament's Services and Facilities Committee, which is chaired by Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Ombaki made the recommendations after benchmarking tours in the UK and Northern Ireland on how lawmakers in those countries are accorded services to perform their duties effectively.

In its report, the Committee says the salaries given to MPs is not at par with what other state officers such as judges and Cabinet Secretaries receive.

Further, the team also wants mechanisms put in place to make sure MPs are given a monthly statement of their allowances, both in the chamber and committees.

In addition, the Committee wants members be given full per diems and be allowed to facilitate their own accommodation whether in the country or abroad.

On July 1st, 2017, the SRC slashed MPs basic pay to Sh621,000 down from Sh710,000 a month and scrapped the annual progression rate for the legislators. Also reduced by the Commission was the basic salaries of Speakers of both the Senate and the National Assembly from Sh1.3 million to Sh1.2 million.

“With regard to the salaries and allowances of the members, the salary given to the MPs is not at par to salaries of state officers such as judges and cabinet secretaries,” part of the Parliament Committee reads.

The Committee further wants SRC to increase mileage allowance and car grant given to MPs as well as introduce house allowance for them.

The House team  also wants facilities in the Parliament including the gymnasium, which they said is not adequate and not well maintained, be improved. It also wants internet services in Parliament improved and the lactating policy agreed upon in 2014 implemented.