MP Koech: Members of Parliament are living a lie

"They take loans to go and give out in Harambees so that they can be re-elected."

In Summary
  • A Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission noted that state officers were scheduled to get salary and benefit increments starting July 1.
  • However, in a press briefing on Wednesday evening, SRC froze the review of the salary of all state officers.
Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech
Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech
Image: SCREENGRAB

Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech now claims that MPs are living a fake lie and a fake life.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Koech stated that they are living an illusion.

"They take loans to go and give out in Harambees so that they can be re-elected and continue to live this life that is not real," he stated during the interview.

A Gazette Notice dated August 9, 2023, from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission noted that state officers were scheduled to get salary and benefit increments starting July 1.

"Monthly remuneration structure for state officers in the Executive of the government will be implemented in the financial year 2024/25 with effect from July 1, 2024," the commission said in the notice.

Additionally, Members of Parliament and Senate will receive a pay rise from the initial Sh725,502 to 739,600.

However, in a press briefing on Wednesday evening, SRC froze the review of the salary of all state officers.

Commission chairperson Lyn Mengich said this followed consultations with the Treasury.

Mengich further attributed this to the recent budget cuts and the ongoing conversation in the country.

"In consultation with the Treasury, SRC hereby freezes the upward review of salaries for all State officers, and will review the advice for all other public officers, taking into account the current realities of the economy, and a reduced budget to ensure affordability and fiscal sustainability of the wage bill," she said.

She also clarified that the salary increase has not been newly gazetted as reported as it was set and published in August last year.

This, she said, is part of the Third Remuneration and Benefits Review cycle for state and other public Officers.

It was to be implemented over two years, 2023-24 and 2024-25, Mengich said.

Image: SCREENGRAB
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