The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala has appealed to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to increase salaries for the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
While speaking to Spice FM on Wednesday, July 5, the former Kakamega senator said the county legislators are facing difficulties due to low salaries which is not befitting their status.
Malala said majority of the MCAs are facing financial constraints and cannot even afford decent housing as some squat in cheap bedsitters which cost around Ksh5,000 to Ksh10,000.
He pointed that with an average net salary of Ksh86,000, the county legislators were condemned to a life of squalor.
"I pity MCAs because they don't get a sitting allowance. I also pity them because their remuneration is wanting. Not everybody will agree with me, but an MCA is an elected member voted for by Kenyans," he stated.
"The level at which we have placed them does not give them the concentration to perform their duties efficiently. Imagine, after deductions, an MCA earning roughly Ksh86,000 but after deducting the car loans, remains with around Ksh50,000."
In a breakdown, the SG added that the MCAs are prone to influence by governors who seek the legislators to pass bills in their favour because of low pay.
"He will not be able to perform his duty because Ksh86,000 does not allow you to rent a house where the county assembly is. If they do, it's not a decent house. For instance, imagine an MCA travelling from Naivasha to Nakuru for a session and back home because they don't have enough money to rent an extra house."
"So he will be forced to get an informal settlement where he will pay Ksh5,000 and Ksh10,000 for a bedsitter. He will not have enough confidence to legislate independently. They will be prone to influence in their decision making, when, for example, a governor promises them a trip to Dubai for them to pass a bill," he reiterated.
Malala, who served in the first Kakamega County assembly and later as a senator, asked the commission to review the salaries.
During the two hour radio-talk show, Malala also defended President William Ruto's decision to clear him and three other advisors to attend Cabinet meetings - arguing that he advises the head of state on critical issues affecting the economy.
"President Ruto has the mandate to allow his advisors sit in Cabinet meetings, if it's for the good of the people. I attend Cabinet meetings as UDA SG. I am paid by UDA and not by the government," he said.
An MCA's Salary
Kenyan MCA's gross salary is Ksh144,376, including a basic salary of Ksh86,625, house allowance of Ksh45,000, and salary market adjustment of Ksh12,750.
The current salary was reduced from Ksh165,000 in November last year by the salaries body. The legislators have been pushing for better perks and have threatened to block assembly activities until the grievances are met.
