Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii backs MCAs salary push
Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii has backed the ward representatives’ push for better remuneration amid a raging stalemate with the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC).
His comments come a day after his Members of County Assembly (MCAs) unanimously adopted a motion to adjourn the house business until the SRC reviews their salaries and allowances.
Governor Bii noted he was optimistic the two parties will resolve the stalemate over salaries and allowances to allow for smooth operations in all the devolved units.
“I want to say that I stand with our MCAs because they are fighting for their rights. However, I want to assure residents that we will re-organize ourselves to ensure operations are not affected and I hope that SRC and the MCAs will resolve the standoff,” said Governor Bii, noting that ‘We will go slow on some projects until the budget has been read and approved.”
The governor made the remarks at Eldoret National Polytechnic during a workshop to build capacity for engineers and technologists. Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua was also present at the event.
More than 40 MCAs majority from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) dismissed the SRC proposal to increase the salaries by Sh10,000 from the current gross salary of Sh144, 375 with a committee sitting allowance of Sh62,450 in a month as a mockery.
The ward representatives protested slashing of salaries from Sh165,000 by SRC, noting that it was interfering with their role to perform the role of oversighting the executive.
Most of the MCAs also claimed the current salaries do not match the high cost of living and to meet the daily demands from their electorate.
On Tuesday, the County assembly speaker Philip Muigei assured members of the public that operations in the county would not be affected following the adjournment of the house business since the county executive can still access to 50 per cent of it in line with the Public Finance Management Act of 2019.
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