By Peter opiyo and Ken-Arthur Wekesa
Attorney General Githu Muigai stopped debate on the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill in Parliament saying adequate consultations need to be carried out as several stakeholders have raised issues on the matter.
“I wish to defer debate on the Bill until wider consultations are made. Issues have been raised by distinguished members of this House. It is our commitment to uphold the Constitution,” said the AG.
The move by Members of Parliament to increase their perks and send-off package had elicited a major public outcry.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) on Wednesday accused the legislators of ignoring the plight of retired teachers yet they arbitrarily allocate themselves more perks.
“The mischief is that while retired teachers continue to suffer as they wait for their dues in pensions amounting to Sh17 billion, the ruling class continues to misuse public funds,” charged David Okuta, Knut secretary general.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) accused MPs of hatching a conspiracy to impoverish Kenyans, terming them a rogue elite squad that must be stopped by all means.
LSK Chairman Eric Mutua termed the move the highest expression of impunity in recent times and faulted the National Assembly for hiding behind the principle of separation of powers to blatantly defile the law.
court action
The LSK boss warned that if Parliament goes ahead to pay the millions from public coffers, the lawyers’ body will seek legal redress in court.
Speaking to The Standard on phone, Anne Owuor, a commissioner at Salaries and Remuneration Commission said they would soon issue a statement on the same.
Former chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers Naomi Wegereka described the move as outrageous and called for civil disobedience, saying it was grossly unacceptable for MPs to continue breaking the law with impunity.
“We have a new dispensation that clearly stipulates it is the exclusive preserve of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to determine the salaries of public officers. The hard working Kenyans who deserve the perks must down their tools and stay at home, take to the streets until the Attorney General takes action against the rogue and selfish MPs,” she said.
probe
Consumers Federation of Kenya Secretary General Stephen Mutoro described the move as an act of fraud and called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the MPs. “They are applying double standards when they form the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and yet they want to be above it,” he said.
Jukwaa la Katiba spokesperson Morris Odhiambo accused the MPs of stealing from the public through the gratuity scheme. “MPs cannot purport to have an employment contract, they should stop creating an illusion that they are employed,” he said.
