The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has halted sitting allowances for members of parliament.
The legislators received the announcement with disgruntlement citing unfairness from the regulator.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi argued that the responsibilities of Members of Parliament do not match their monthly perks.
MPs are state officers just like Cabinet Secretaries yet they are not accorded a house allowance like the rest of the state officers
Speaker Muturi
“MPs are state officers just like Cabinet Secretaries yet they are not accorded a house allowance like the rest of the state officers,” said Muturi.
The move was communicated to the MPs on Wednesday during a Speaker’s Kamukunji.
The review will see the commission save about Sh382 million.
Prior to the review, legislators from the National Assembly and Senate received a sitting allowance of Sh5000 per sitting.
Two work stations
The National Assembly holds its sittings four times a week while the Senate holds three such sessions.
The review did not however affect the Sh10 million car grant for members passed in the 12th Parliament.
According to Muturi, MPs have two working stations yet in both stations, they have to self-fund mortgages.
The removal of sitting allowances adds to the long list of challenges that parliamentarians face. The executive should however be prepared to handle challenges in having its agendas passed in the House
Speaker Muturi
“The removal of sitting allowances adds to the long list of challenges that parliamentarians face. The executive should however be prepared to handle challenges in having its agendas passed in the House,” noted Muturi
“There are MPs who will now be coming to the House to sign attendance then leave because they will not be looking forward to any returns,” he added.