This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
On May 29, Judge John Mativu certified the petition as urgent, allowing the expeditious disposal of the case. The parties were given seven days to file their responses together with written submissions.
Chief Justice David Maraga has yet to appoint a bench to hear a petition challenging the payment of Sh 250,000 monthly housing allowances to lawmakers. The case will be mentioned on July 25 to confirm whether a bench has been assigned.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had sued the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) over the payment of the house allowances. The SRC moved to court seeking an order reversing a move by the lawmakers to award themselves up to Sh3 million annually in additional allowances.
Through its lawyer Peter Wanyama, the commission filed the petition at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court seeking to stop further implementation of the house allowance and the recovery of the money paid to the MPs so far.
Justice Weldon Korir told parties on Monday that the CJ was yet to assign the matter to a bench but told parties the case will be mentioned on July 25 to confirm whether a bench has been appointed.
A court order stopping further payments of the allowance shall remain in force until the hearing and determination of the petition.
The court was told that PSC has filed an application seeking to set aside the interim order obtained by SRC, the judge saying the application will be heard alongside the petition.
