Uhuru: I swear no pay rise for MPs – VIDEO
President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he will not approve demands by newly elected Members of Parliament to reinstate their old salary structure.
The President, speaking at Catholic University of Eastern Africa on Thursday, dismissed the MPs as being driven by greed and a lack of calling to serve.
“I want to make it publicly clear that my support for SRC on cutting salaries is not changing and should the Supreme Court rule in my favour, I swear I will not sign a bill some MPs plan to take to Parliament to contest the SRC recommendation,” said President Kenyatta.
He said the MPs do not realise how angry Kenyans are feeling with remarks on their salaries even before they are sworn in.
“Everybody knew their salaries before they sought election and these leaders need to know that anyone who is called to serve must recognise we are called to serve the people, not hurt them.”
Under the new salary structure released by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and gazetted on July 12, MPs’ salaries have been fixed at Sh621,250 down from Sh710,000 and their plenary sitting allowances of Sh5,000 removed.
Kenyans online expressed mixed reactions to President Kenyatta’s remarks.
It is shameful that we are barely a week away that they (MPs who want higher pay) have not recognised issues that made Kenyans angry ~ Uhuru
— Number8, the poet (@DannMwangi) August 24, 2017
Uhuru has asked Raila to join him in the fight against salary payrise for legislators.
This one makes a lot of sense to me , MPs must lose
— Kenyan ???? (@ItsOngiro) August 24, 2017
Uhuru Kenyatta vows not to sign MPs salary bill when Supreme Court rules in his favour.
— J.B Kenya™ (@JohnBosco_Juma) August 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/KijanaShujaa/status/900668422928961537
MPs wamesema wanataka Pay rise Uhuru akasema mjidishy ?
— K 3 M B O Y (@Kemboy254) August 24, 2017
This Uhuru turning the down the salos thing looks like it was set up from the beginning for popular points
— Double Fianchetto (@NgatiaEsq) August 24, 2017
president Uhuru Kenyatta has made my day leadership is about service to the people, that's my President!!! Hatutaki handouts!!!
— FootballPedia (@MwangiJames_29) August 24, 2017
If Uhuru stands with his words that's deal done for MPs quest to increase their pay. He has super majority in Parliament #MpsPay
— Martin (@waiharowaweru) August 24, 2017
That's the way to go mr President Uhuru Kenyatta, kama itabidi kifua let it be. These ppl have taken us for fools for long #MPsPay
— Eustus the Soul Bro (@eustuscarlskey1) August 24, 2017
Uhuru: Hakuna mtu hakujua mshahara ambayo atapata akiwa mbunge wakati wa campaign.
— SAMMIE MUGANE (@sammiemugane) August 24, 2017
Shame on you Gathoni. Uhuru himself is supporting the SRC for pay cuts from his office all the way down to the MPigs. #MPsPay #MPsSalaries
— TK (Sophisticated Cave Gentleman) ?? ?? ?? (@ArnnieT) August 24, 2017
How MPs are looking at Uhuru after swearing no pay rise #MPsPay pic.twitter.com/1vohB23ZoO
— John Muiru (@ThisisMuiru) August 24, 2017