Pay Rise for MPs, County Officials in New SRC Structure

Lawmakers and county officials are the biggest beneficiaries in a new remuneration and benefits structure proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Generally, however, the SRC has retained salaries for most state officers at the same points and is set to strip other cadres of various allowances. SRC Chair Lynn Mengich confirmed that there would be no upward review of salaries, allowances and benefits paid in the public service in the financial year 2021-22 to 2022-23.

She cited Covid-19, wage bill ratios, investment priorities and the financial constraints faced by the government. SRC on Tuesday, December 15 sought to collect views from the public on the proposed structure, which once gazzetted will take effect.

In the structure, the gross salary of Members of Parliament (MPs) will increase from Ksh621,250 per month to Ksh710,000 per month. All MPs and Senators would also be paid an additional Ksh88,750 driving the parliamentary wage bill up from the current Ksh3.1 billion to Ksh3.5 billion.

MPs would notably lose allowances they enjoy for attending plenary sessions.

Sitting allowances for committees have however been increased significantly. Committee chair would earn Ksh15,000 per sitting (capped at Ksh240,000 per month) up from the current Ksh10,000 per sitting.

READ>>Father Sues Son To Take 20% Of His Salary For Upkeep

Committee vice-chairs would take home Ksh12,000 in allowances per sitting, capped at a maximum of Ksh92,000 per month – up from the current Ksh8,000 per sitting.

Ordinary committee members currently getting Ksh5,000 per sitting would get Ksh7,500 per sitting capped at Ksh120,000 per month.

At the county level, county assembly speakers will earn Ksh404,250 per month up from the current Ksh259,875. Deputy Speakers would see their salaries reduced to Ksh210,000 per month from the current Ksh216,000.

Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) would earn Ksh1 more per month – from Ksh144,375 to Ksh144,376.

Members of the County Executive Committee (CEC) in the 47 counties would earn Ksh306,250 per month – an increase of Ksh45,000. Governors and Deputy Governors will have their salaries retained at Ksh924,000 per month and Ksh621,250 per month respectively.

The President and Deputy President’s salaries were retained at Ksh1.4 million and Ksh1.2 million. Cabinet Secretaries too will continue to earn Ksh924,000 per month.

READ>>Civil Servants’ Salary Reviews Frozen for 2 Years by SRC