High Court Blocks SRC From Reducing MPs' Salaries

The High Court on Friday temporarily suspended a Gazette Notice by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) seeking to reduce salaries for Members of Parliament.

Delivering the ruling, Justice George Odunga noted that the notice had been suspended until the matter is heard in court.

The High Court judge scheduled the matter to be heard on January 29, 2018.

The ruling was issued after the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) filed an application on Thursday seeking orders suspending the July 7 Gazette notice reviewing the remuneration package of Legislators.

According to PSC, SRC had failed to consider the high cost of living when developing the new salary structure adding that the team had no powers to revise allowances for Parliament and Judiciary staff.

[caption caption="File image of PSC Commissioner Gladys Wanga addressing the media"][/caption]

The MPs further accused the salaries agency of interfering with the constitutional right adding that the agency was aiming at dealing a blow to the well being of Parliament.

"The impugned decision unlawfully seeks to vary to their advantage and detriment, the remuneration and benefits payable to the state officers ... contrary to basic labour law.

"This mandate falls under the powers of the Parliamentary Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission,” the Star quoted PSC's submission.

Mid this year, the salaries agency cut remuneration for State Officers including the President and other elected leaders ranging from Governors to Members of County Assemblies.

[caption caption="Former SRC Chair Sarah Serem"][/caption]

Following the revision, all lawmakers elected after the General Election on August 8 suffered Sh 89,000 salary cut taking home Sh621,000 from Sh710,000 every month.