MPs and Senators’ Salaries Under Review as Katiba Institute Demands Transparency
The Katiba Institute has officially reached out to both the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), seeking full details about the salaries and employment terms of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators.
In a formal request dated March 30, the Institute raised several concerns, focusing particularly on how much the Members of the National Assembly are paid.
They asked for clarification on multiple issues related to their salaries and employment conditions.
According to a statement released by the Institute, the request was made in line with Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Access to Information Act, Cap 7M.
These legal provisions grant Kenyan citizens the right to access information that should be publicly available.
In its letter to the SRC, Katiba Institute asked whether the commission had conducted any labour market surveys, as required by law, to determine appropriate salary scales for state officers such as MPs and Senators.
These surveys are important because they help compare salaries with similar roles in other sectors to ensure fairness.
Additionally, the Institute sought to find out if the SRC had made any official recommendations to the PSC regarding the salaries and benefits of lawmakers, going as far back as 2011.
They are particularly interested in knowing if these recommendations followed the legal procedures and were based on proper research.
Another major issue the Institute raised was the unclear classification of legislators as either full-time or part-time employees.
They pointed out that this ambiguity could affect how their salaries and allowances are justified.
The Katiba Institute also made a separate request asking for actual copies of the employment contracts signed by MPs and Senators.
These documents would show the exact terms of service, salaries, benefits, and the different allowances the lawmakers receive.
Debates around the salaries of MPs and Senators have been ongoing for many years. Many Kenyans have voiced concerns over the generous perks that lawmakers enjoy, especially when the country’s economy is facing challenges.
In 2024, a proposal to increase the salaries of MPs stirred public anger, with many questioning why such a move was being considered during difficult economic times.
More recently, reports surfaced indicating that lawmakers would receive another pay increase starting April 1, 2025.
This new package would also include a fixed monthly mileage allowance, adding to their already substantial benefits.
With 416 MPs in both the National Assembly and the Senate, this increase is expected to cost Kenyan taxpayers a total of Ksh4.4 billion from April 1 until the next general election.
In response to this development, Anne Gitau, the SRC Secretary and CEO, wrote a letter to the PSC confirming that the pay rise had been approved.
She stated that the decision was made during an SRC meeting held on March 20, 2025, following a request for salary reviews.
The Katiba Institute’s move signals a growing demand for openness and accountability concerning how public funds are spent on elected officials, especially at a time when many Kenyans are calling for financial discipline and better governance.
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