By Arnold Ageta
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has today termed Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) gazzettement of irregular salary increase as a gross misconduct.
Hon. Mogaka said that he has been shocked to hear that PSC and SRC colluded to clandestinely review remuneration of state officers among them Parliamentarians and Staff.
“I reject the proposed salary increment and condemn the unilateral and illegal action of the respective commissions,” the MP said.
The proposal, he said, was not subjected to any public participation and the electorates who are the employers of parliamentarians have not been consulted as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
“The attempted salary review is a scam and the involved commissioners should resign or their removal from office be commenced,” he warned.
He said Kenyans are already overburdened with irrelevant taxes and minting more from them to please few individuals is not only an abuse to the electorates but also a violation of our constitution.
SRC had earlier gazetted salary increment for state officers where they were set to receive increments even as the country faces economic pressure.
SRC Chairperson, Lyn Mengich had argued that the increment was based on the salary structure as set out in the SRC Act.
The President also raised concerns over the increment and he was forced to direct the National Treasury to review a gazette notice that increased salaries for cabinet secretaries, MPs, governors, MCAs and other top state officers.
In his press statement, Hon. Stephen Mogaka has rejected the PSC’s plan and called for their resignation.