What we considered before slashing MPs sitting allowances - SRC

This is amidst threats by MPs in the 13th Parliament to disband the commission as the changes are set to take effect. 

According to SRC chairperson Lyn Mengich, the commission looked at at the pay of the state officers from principles of equity and fairness as MPs were being paid a higher salary past their office pay requirement.

Speaking in an interview on Citizen TV, Ms Mengich divulged that MPs were earning a pay equivalent to that of a Governor, if the sitting allowances for committee meetings and plenary sitting allowances are accounted for.

Mengich noted that the basic salary of an MP as dictated in their pay grade is Ksh 710,000 but with the allowances they end up receiving Ksh 920,000 an a monthly basis.

"The current grading to MPs was actually upgraded to a grade we call F1 which is equivalent to the grading of a PS, or the chair of a commission," said Ms Mengich.

"Today the pay for F1s grade is at Ksh 765,000 but for an MP it is actually above that because their pay is actually Ksh 710,000 before we add the sitting allowances for committee sittings which adds up to around Ksh 120,000. This totals to around Ksh 830,000 which is then above the salary established for the role at F1," she added. 

"And that is even before you add the plenary sitting allowance which will see them get Ksh 920,000 which then means you will be remunerating an MP equal to a Cabinet Secretary or a Governor."

The SRC boss further noted that the abolishment will save taxpayers from paying high taxes as the remuneration of benefits review would see savings accrue a total of Ksh 8.2 billion for both the National and the County Assembly in savings for a 5-year government tenure.

"The annual saving is 450,000,000 which translates to 2.2 billion for the 5-year period."

"The plenary sittings are also abolished for the County Assemblies which translates to Ksh 1.2 billion on an annual basis and Ksh 6 billion for a 5-year period."