AU Special Envoy Raila Odinga has differed with National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi over a plot to increase MPs' salaries.
After attending the National Anti Corruption Conference that was held in Bomas on Friday, the ODM leader asked the Speaker to come clean on the matter but Muturi has remained adamant that such a move would be shot down.
"It is unconstitutional for MPs to increase their own salaries. That is a preserve of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)," stated Muturi.
However, a gap in the Constitution has allowed MPs to continue dictating their terms of service even after the SRC was formed.
The debate about the pay hike has sprouted from the controversial Parliamentary Service Bill 2018 which, if enacted, will see the salaries of MPS and their Senate counterparts go up.
Odinga further protested that legislators often abused Parliamentary sitting and mileage allowances.
The Bill successfully sailed through its second reading in November 2018 and all eyes will be on the house when it resumes in February 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, rebuked the lawmakers and vowed not to assent to it when presented to him.
"As leaders, we should not be more concerned about how to bring more wealth to ourselves, but should instead prioritize the needs of our people. Every leader has a responsibility to uplift the lives of the millions of Kenyans who look up to us as their leaders and representatives.
"Najua wengi watakasirika kuhusu hii kitu lakini mimi naungana na wananchi (I know many (MPs) will not be happy, but I stand with Kenyans)," Uhuru affirmed.
He added that people were yearning for more development and solutions that would improve their livelihoods.
