The Anglican Church of Kenya has termed the pay demands by Members of Parliaments as “selfish, inconsiderate and uncalled for.”
In a statement released today through ACK
Archbishop Eliud Wabukala , the church urged MPs to respect the
constitution stating that “barely 4 months ago they agreed to
‘obey,respect,uphold,preserve, protect, and defend’ the constitution.”
“Their action against the Salaries and Remuneration
Commission (SRC) which is the constitutional body mandated to set
salaries of public officers, is a direct violation of the same. SRC
has not overstepped their mandate but are operating within their scope
of regularizing state officers’
remuneration. It would be
unconstitutional and illegal for MPs to award themselves salaries in
defiance of SRC recommendations. We applaud SRC for operating within
their stipulated mandate and contributing to measures that will lower
the public officers’ wage bill.” Archbishop Wabukala said.
He added that the MPs attempt to repeal the laws
that affect their remuneration displays their unwillingness for
consultation and prioritizing personal gain over national development.
The Archbishop urged MPs to pursue dialogue with
SRC as “opposed to the rebellious acts attempting to repeal acts of
parliament to work in their favor. ”
“The country is undergoing a transition period
inculcating devolved governance structures that will shape the
nation’s social and economic well- being. Efforts and resources should
be channeled to stabilize the structures for counties’ take- off; and
the MPs and other legislators’ demands are derailing the process”
Archbishop Wabukala said
He further stated that the hefty wages demanded by
Parliamentarians will be facilitated by the taxes of Kenya’s majority
low income earners who scale below a dollar a day stating that the MPs
demands amounts to over 100 times minimum wage in the country thus
increasing the earnings’ gap in the country.
He said the culture of handouts that MPs have used
to defend their pay demands should have ended with the dispensation of
the new constitution in 2010 adding that Kenyans should take
responsibility and seek community participatory approaches to address
their needs and develop realistic local solutions.
“The hand- out culture not only leads to dependency
but also crippling of the mind thus stifling efforts for self-
sustenance.” The Archbishop said.
