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.
