Lawmakers and salaries team clash over perks

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) yesterday finally yielded to pressure and agreed to reimburse MPs car grant of Sh7 million.

During a meeting between the MPs and commission chairperson Lyn Mengich, the lawmakers made it clear that they were not ready to give her a chance to address them if the issue of car grants was not part of her agenda.

The commission chair told the charged lawmakers during the three hour closed-door meeting that she was there to discuss all matters arising from the commission statement given in June over MPs pay, allowances and other perks.

In the changes, the commission had abolished car grants and replaced them with loans. Under the proposed arrangement, the MPs were to identify a car of their choice and borrow enough to buy it. However, the MPs had demanded that the Sh7 million be given to them as grants to purchase cars of their preference. The commission had directed that members first purchase vehicles and provide receipts confirming the cars cost Sh7 million.

“We want to be given the Sh7 million; its us who know the type of a car we want not the commission. Subjecting us to scrutiny is not respectable at all,” said a member who asked not to be named for fear of facing a public backlash over his sentiments.

On the issue of sitting allowances and mileage claims, Mengich asked the MPs to give her seven days to consult with her colleagues. She promised to offer a solution by then.

The legislators have been pushing for the reinstatement of their sitting and mileage allowances.

On Monday, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula intervened and assured members that talks to have their remuneration reinstated had started.

“I want to assure you that this morning I had a meeting with SRC and I have called them to order on a few things. Be sure that by the time we leave this induction, we will be able to make some changes on your privileges and other facilities to enable you to do your work,” said Wetang’ula.

Social issues

He added: “It is not always going to be like this; nobody in their right mind will interfere with your allowances and what you are entitled to. As your Speaker, I will ensure that I engage faithfully with all the other agents and ensure that you are adequately facilitated”.

Wetangula told lawmakers at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi that he was aware that Members had a lot to deal with and there was need for them to be remunerated appropriately.

He said that they want remuneration restored so that veteran members do not suffer much due to the changes introduced.

“An MP is a funeral undertaker (sic), midwife, extension officer, vet, counsellor on social issues and also the local ATM. My leadership will ensure that we facilitate you to discharge some of those unexpected duties,” said Wetang’ula.

He promised the MPs that SRC would only address them after he had made a communication on what they would be agreed on.

His intervention came after the lawmakers declined to be addressed by Mengich following the decision by her commission to slash their allowances.

In June, SRC made drastic changes to the bracket of MPs allowances, including abolishing sitting allowances and car grants. This was done before the official campaign period started, meaning that the candidates were aware of the perks they would get in the event that they won the elections.

At the time, SRC said the changes were informed by consultative public engagements with the public, besides considering a 2019 judgment by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, which called for deconsolidation of the remuneration of State officers. 

Standard package

Mengich also announced that mileage allowances would also be abolished in the term starting this month.

Under the new rules now, Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate will each earn a gross salary of Sh1.1 million. Their deputies will earn Sh928,000. An MP and Senator will each earn Sh710,000.

An MP will be provided with a vehicle reimbursement of Sh7.5 million for the purchase of a car of engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc.

They will also be reimbursed a claimable mileage of one return journey per week at the rate of Sh116.63 per kilometre, based on a car of engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc.

The commission had expected that the government would save at least Sh382 million in plenary sitting allowances for the 416 members. A uniform sitting allowance of Sh5,000 was to be introduced for each of the 349 National Assembly members and 67 Senators. SRC also said that House committee sitting allowances would be retained. A committee chairperson will get Sh15,000 per sitting, a vice-chair will get Sh12, 000, while a member will earn Sh7,500.

Mengich said the commission is in the process of converting the allowances into a standard package.

Her commission, however, turned down a proposal by MPs to have them get a Sh1.2 million salary, the same as Court of Appeal judges. They will continue earning Sh710,000 taxable salaries.