This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
Uhuru Kenyatta Blocks MPs' Pay Hike, Wins Praise from Kenyans ¶
Published on September 12, 2019
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been praised by Kenyans for blocking a bill that would have allowed MPs to award themselves hefty allowances, including a KSh 250,000 house allowance and up to Sh24,000 as night allowance.
Uhuru had in 2017 sworn not to approve any attempts by MPs to neutralize the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and hike their pay. He has now stood by his word, refusing to assent to the Parliamentary Service Bill, 2018, which would have given MPs powers to award themselves these allowances.
Many ordinary citizens feared that the 416 lawmakers, who are among the highest paid in the world, would have their way after they sneaked in amendments to the bill giving themselves a blank cheque and taking away powers of the SRC to determine allowances.
However, Uhuru flatly declined to assent to the bill and instead referred it back to Parliament, reminding the lawmakers that SRC remained the body mandated to determine salaries and allowances for all State officers.
He also directed the House to delete Clause 20 of the Bill that hands the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) powers to regularly review both domestic and international travel allowances to MPs and Parliamentary staff without seeking advisory by SRC.
Uhuru reminded the lawmakers that SRC remained the body mandated to determine salaries and allowances for all State officers.
He also directed the House to delete Clause 43 of the Bill that seeks to hand PSC powers to determine MPs and Parliamentary staff salaries and allowances.
Many Kenyans have praised Uhuru for standing by his word and protecting ordinary citizens from the excesses of the greedy elite.
“Vivaa!!! Now that's the real Punguza Mzigo we are talking of leave that one of Aukot,” Kenne Mwene tweeted.
“While we were all chasing those celebrities in #Kibra's by-election, President Uhuru did a good thing: He stopped the Mpigs quest for hefty pay after he refused to assent to the Parliamentary Service Bill of some really immoral & contentious allowances,” stated Kerubo O’Nyamokami.
One Stanley Maritim heaped praises on the President for fighting for Kenyans by refusing to sign the bill that would have further swelled Kenya’s ballooning wage bill.
Edward Njuguna noted that by rejecting the ridiculous proposals made by the MPs, the President confirmed that he is standing by his word to protect Wanjiku (ordinary Kenyans) from the excesses of the greedy elite.
