Avoid politicising salary decisions, balance fair pay with public interests, MPs tell new SRC members

Members of Parliament have urged the incoming members of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to prioritise fairness and avoid targeting politicians for public approval of their decisions.

The MPs spoke on Thursday morning during a special sitting to consider nominees for the SRC, who were all approved.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah called on the new SRC members to adopt a consultative approach in their work.

"Honourable Speaker, we had a very populist commission before this one, and I want to encourage the new commissioners not to fall into the trap of playing to the gallery," he said.

The Kikuyu MP also criticised the former commission for publishing a gazette notice about an increment in MPs' salaries during a politically charged period, which he described as a tactic to demonise legislators.

"These Members of Parliament work, both in the House and outside, and they deserve fair treatment. SRC must balance public interest while addressing the needs of public servants," Ichung'wah said.

He noted that failing to adequately compensate public servants could discourage talented individuals from joining or remaining in public service.

Engage stakeholders

Ichung'wah also called on the SRC to engage stakeholders before making decisions.

"By the time they make decisions, let those decisions be the result of a consultative process," he added.

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed echoed Ichung'wah's sentiments, urging the SRC to take a holistic view of the public wage bill instead of focusing solely on politicians.

"There's a misconception that this commission was created to fight politicians. Somebody has misguided them," Junet said.

He noted that targeting MPs for criticism had become a popular strategy for gaining public favour, which undermines the commission's broader mandate to harmonise wages across all public sectors.

The Suna East MP challenged the SRC to be transparent about salary adjustments early in the electoral cycle to allow potential candidates to make informed decisions.

"If they want to adjust MPs' salaries, let them do it now, not in 2027 when Parliament is closing. That way, those planning to run can decide whether they want the job or not," he argued.

MPs financial burdens

Junet also highlighted the financial burdens MPs shoulder, including supporting constituents with healthcare, school fees, and other personal expenses.

"Whatever you earn here belongs to the public. You return it back in the form of healthcare, education, and even burial expenses," he said.

Both leaders supported the approval of the nominees, emphasising the importance of the SRC in addressing wage disparities across public service.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo called on the incoming Chepkwony-led team to support union efforts and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), rather than obstructing them.

“There is a trend where CBAs are negotiated and then ignored, with the commission cited as the stumbling block. I urge the SRC to collaborate with unions to ensure agreements are honoured,” Amollo stated.

Legislators’ welfare

He further asked Parliament’s representatives in the SRC to prioritise legislators’ welfare and uphold the authority of the House.

“If they fail to represent our interests, they undermine the entities that sent them. Those we send to the commission must consult with and respect Parliament,” he cautioned.

Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo urged the new SRC to address salary disparities among low-cadre public servants in both national and county governments.

“There were significant complaints about the previous SRC’s inability to harmonise salaries within and across government arms. Disparities, particularly among security forces, remain unexplained,” Oundo said.

Sammy Chepkwony is now the chairperson of the SRC, which plays a crucial role in Kenya's governance structure, with commissioners serving a six-year, non-renewable term.

Their mandate is to ensure that public sector salaries are set in a way that balances the need for fair compensation with the country's fiscal health.

Other members include Jane Gatakaa Njage, Leonid Ashindu, Gildea Odera, and Geoffrey Apollo Omondi.