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Pay for no work: Kenyans might have to fork out billions as MCAs demand similar severance package offered to MPs and Senators

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 The Speaker of Kajiado County Assembly Johnson Osoi (centre) looks on as the Deputy Chief Justice Filomena Mwilu (left) chats with Dr. Regina Mwatha (right) who is the acting chairperson in the office of the Ombudsman and Commissioner on Administrative Justice during the second Legislative Summit conference    Photo:Gideon Maundu

Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have joined Members of Parliament in demanding severance pay.

This could see taxpayers fork out more billions to compensate the leaders for the eight months that their terms in office will be cut short.

Days after MPs made a budgetary demand of Sh2.4 billion to compensate them, MCAs yesterday maintained that their five-year term constitutionally ends on March 4, 2018.

They insisted that holding elections in August would slash their terms by eight months for which they are entitled salaries.

The MCAs, who are attending the Legislative Summit in Mombasa, a forum bringing together senators and ward representatives, now want the Judiciary to interpret the term-end clause and give directions that the outgoing county legislators also be paid.

"The Constitution is very specific when it comes to the term of MCAs. More specific than the term of any other elected leader in Article 177(4) and in law we have what we call legitimate expectations," said County Assemblies Forum (CAF) Chairman Johnson Osoi.

He added: "The term of office for these members will lapse on March 4, 2018 and we have asked the relevant organs, especially the Judiciary to interpret this for us, but certainly if MPS and Senators are getting it, MCAs must have it."

BUDGETED BILLIONS

According to the initial budget done by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Sh1.9 billion of the Sh47.6 billion had been factored to compensate the 349 MPs, while Sh410 million was to pay the 67 senators for the eight months.

It is, however, not clear if the severance pay is factored in the Sh40.2 billion revised actual estimates from the PSC.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta during the opening of the summit, had a difficult time convincing the MCAs that the best way to address the matter was to form a committee to negotiate with Treasury.

"Everybody is demanding that pay, MPs, senators, you and even us in the Cabinet would also want to get that eight months’ pay, the best thing is to have a team to negotiate for this," he said.

The MCAs also demanded car grants promised to them by President Kenyatta, saying they needed to be treated the same way as MPs and senators.

"The promises given to MCAs must be honoured, hopefully within the remaining term of the President's term. We want similar incentives as those given to MPS," said Mombasa Speaker Thadius Rajwayi.

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