SRC Boss Sammy Chepkwony. Photo | courtesy.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court has upheld the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) decision to scrap a raft of allowances previously enjoyed by Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Among the abolished benefits are the Retreat Allowance, Sitting Allowances for Internal Institutional Committees, and Taskforce Allowance for Internal Institutional Taskforces.
SRC argued that the payments, when added to gross monthly remuneration, amounted to double compensation for the concerned officers.
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Justice Onesmus Makau, who delivered the ruling, dismissed a petition filed by the County Assembly of Embu challenging the move. He noted that MCAs failed to prove their case and had not demonstrated why they deserved elevation to a higher job grade.
“The court held that the County Assemblies Forum welcomed SRC’s grading in all its correspondences, and that MCAs did not suffer any loss or violation due to SRC’s advice,” Justice Makau stated.
He further ruled that the County Assembly of Embu had not provided sufficient evidence to support its claims against SRC.
“The County Assembly of Embu failed to prove its claims that SRC violated the Constitution, observing that the allegations raised in the suit were without any basis or justification,” said Justice Makau.
SRC, in its defence, maintained that its evaluation of MCAs’ roles and responsibilities showed they were already adequately compensated.
“Additional sitting allowances, in addition to the gross monthly remuneration package, would amount to double compensation,” the commission argued.
The court also agreed with SRC that no evidence had been presented to substantiate the need for non-practicing allowances for professionals working in county assemblies.
