Senator asks MPs to quit over pay row

Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mong’are Okong’o. Photo/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By HENRY NYARORA
Posted  Friday, April 19   2013 at  09:43

Nyamira Senator Kennedy Mong’are Okong’o has dismissed MPs and County Governors agitating for salary increment and challenged them to resign their posts.

Mr Okong’o said legislators should not seek higher salaries, which will in-turn be a burden for taxpayers.

“Elected politicians should know that they are social workers. Whatever they get is simply honoraria to help them discharge their duties but not to enrich themselves. Those who want to get rich quick are free to resign and seek greener pastures elsewhere," he said.

He said some highly educated civil servants earn peanuts but do not complain because they put the interest of Kenyans first.

“Why should politicians complain about their salaries yet there are civil servants with doctorates earning peanuts but serving the public without complaining,” he said.

Mr Mong’are said with the exception of County Reps, what politicians earn was good enough to sustain them considering the current economic situation.

He said that he would oppose the motion drafted by Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi that seeks to disband the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) which reviewed remuneration for elected leaders.

“I know it's possible for Mr Linturi to mobile MPs including Senators to get the two thirds majority and be able to disband the commission or remove its officials. Let me warn such politicians that Kenyans are watching as they forget about their welfare," he added.

He said that he would only support any proposed salary increment for County Reps who mostly handle grass root issues.

“I propose that ward representatives earn Sh200,000 taxable salaries and a car grant of Sh1m because they are with the electorates on a daily basis,” he said.

He said MPs and Senators get extra allowances from committee sittings and should not increase their salaries.

He said teachers and nurses work under difficult conditions with meagre salaries and therefore legislators should echo President Kenyatta's sentiments of reducing the wage bill.