This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Published on August 5, 2019, Nairobi MCAs have joined their counterparts in other counties in demanding house allowances following a High Court ruling last year.
The MCAs, led by Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, argue that they qualify as state officers and are entitled to house allowances, citing a ruling made by Justice Mwita on October 5, 2018.
Mr. Guyo pointed out that the ruling stated that state officers are entitled to house allowances, and that denying some state officers similar benefits enjoyed by others is discriminatory and unjustifiably selective.
"Devolved units are a critical component of governance in the country as per Article 11 of the Constitution and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) should be mindful of the remunerative needs of public and state officers to ensure adequate facilitation for successful execution of their duties and mandates," said Mr. Guyo.
The Matopeni Ward MCA also cited a petition filed in 2016, where it was pronounced that denying some state officers similar benefits enjoyed by others is a violation of their fundamental rights.
Following a resolution by the Governing Council of the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) last month, Mr. Guyo is now calling on the SRC to set housing allowance for the MCAs in tandem with the High Court finding.
