This archive report was first published on 7 July 2019.
Kenyan Members of Parliament have awarded themselves a night allowance of Ksh.18,200, four times a week, sparking a fresh combat with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
According to Citizen TV, the move is seen as an attempt to circumvent the SRC's objection to their house allowances. The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi, endorsed the night allowance after the High Court stopped payment of house allowances to MPs in May, following an objection by SRC and public interest litigant Okiya Omtata.
Each MP has been drawing Ksh.72,000 every week, or Ksh.291,200 every month, for each night spent in the city attending parliamentary sittings. The night allowance was payable subject to confirmation of an MP's house or committee attendance, according to Speaker Muturi.
Speaker Muturi defended the night allowances, insisting he had a duty to facilitate MPs attend house sittings after the house allowance gravy train was stopped. He argued that the allowance will improve house attendance and deal with constant quorum hitches that hamper house business.
The Parliamentary Service Commission based its argument on allowances payable to MPs in other countries, including Australia, Lesotho, South Africa, Zambia, and Britain. However, the latest allowances are likely to spark a fresh combat between parliament and SRC, with the salaries commission insisting MPs earned a consolidated pay, which includes house allowances.
Published on July 7, 2019, at 2:23 PM.
