County Speakers move to court seeking to compel SRC to grant them Sh235m in car grants
The Speakers argue that they are being discriminated against in the allocation of vehicle benefits compared to other elected leaders.
County assembly Speakers are locked in a legal battle with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) over their demand for Sh347 million in car grants and vehicle maintenance.
The 47 speakers have filed a case in the High Court seeking to compel SRC to award them Sh5 million each for personal car grants, a move that would cost taxpayers Sh235 million.
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They are also demanding Sh200,000 in monthly car maintenance, translating to Sh112.8 million annually.
The Speakers argue that they are being discriminated against in the allocation of vehicle benefits compared to other elected leaders.
Through Issa & Company Advocates, they claim that while they are provided with official vehicles, those cars are strictly for office use and do not belong to them.
They are also seeking a car mileage allowance reimbursed at the applicable rate for vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 3,000cc.
Their legal challenge targets gazette notices issued by SRC in July 2022 and August 2023, which reviewed remuneration and benefits for state officers in county assemblies.
The 2022 notice granted speakers a car loan of up to Sh4 million, while deputy speakers and MCAs received a car loan of up to Sh2 million.
Official car for Speakers
The 2023 notice maintained the provision of an official car for Speakers, while deputy Speakers and MCAs were given a motor vehicle reimbursement, car maintenance allowance, and mileage claim.
"The official car provided for the Speakers of county assemblies is not a benefit to the Speakers, strictly speaking. The official car is an asset that belongs to the county assemblies and once the speaker exits the office, he or she does not go with the official car nor is it offered for purchase. This is unlike the deputy speakers and MCAs who, in lieu of an official car, were issued with a motor vehicle reimbursement of Sh2.2 million that is payable once in the term of the county assembly," the petition states.
The Speakers are asking the court to quash the two gazette notices, arguing that they create unfair disparities in transport benefits between speakers, deputy speakers, and MCAs.
They further contend that despite being issued with an official car, the vehicle is shared with county assembly clerks and other leaders, making it inadequate for their needs.
The case is pending hearing and determination.
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