A section of UDA legislators says no to salary increment

A section of memers of parliament drawn from Kenya Kwanza Coalition have accused Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for salary increment of top government officials.

In the the latest salary review by SRC, members of parliament (MPs), senators and other government officials will have their payslips adjusted upwards begining July.

MPs and Senators will now receive Ksh739,600 up from Ksh725,502, while speakers of the senate (Amazon Kingi) and National Assembly (Moses Wetangula) will pocket 1,208,362 up from Ksh1,185,327.

Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said members of parliament must take a pay cut as part of the government’s plan of reducing the wage bill.

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He accused the SRC for being silent on the wage bill discussion saying that legislator must agree to reject salary hikes.

“If it means taking a pay cut, we as members of parliament have been told that we will never do it. We don’t have an option, we must do it,” Cheruiyot said.

He added: “The yearly increment that is being discussed, I saw it being reported or misreported that we are now going to earn more. SRC continues to be silent about it. We must make a resolution and say that we reject even that one in light of the financial situation.”

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Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba said that mMPs should have their salaries reduced not increased.

“The salary increase proposal by SRC for MPs and Senators is insensitive and ill-advised. The discussion should be to cut not add. I reject any increment and welcome deduction of salaries for all state and public workers like myself. It’s time to review government structures,” Wamuchomba said.