Prime minister without a salary

Sources said the MPs want the Prime Minister’s salary to be above that of the VP considering that he was an equal partner with President Kibaki as far as the National Accord and Reconciliation Act that created the PM’s office was concerned.

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The same sentiments were expressed in Dr Isahakia’s letter to the Clerk. However, an MP who did not wish to be quoted discussing PSC matters outside the committee asked why ODM members in the PSC had not brought the matter before Parliament in order to resolve it through the ballot rather than through administrative channels.

The National Accord and Reconciliation Act, which was signed on February 28, 2008 states that the PM and his deputies shall be entitled to salaries and allowances, benefits, privileges and emoluments as may be approved by Parliament from time to time.

Mr Odinga, as the supervisor and coordinator of Government activities, chairs Cabinet sub-committees and enjoys enhanced security including several chase cars.

However, when the PM’s position was created, his emoluments and other trappings were not discussed by Parliament.

On Sunday, Nairobi Metropolitan minister Mutula Kilonzo said the responsibility of determining the PM’s salary lay with the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Mr Kilonzo, a member of the Serena team that negotiated the peace accord following the violence after the 2007 election, said it was not their responsibility to assign a salary to the PM’s office.

However, he said a tribunal established on Thursday last week to review MPs’ salary and determine what taxes they will pay will also fix the PM’s salary.

“The coalition is a temporary measure under the Constitution and, therefore, the issue of the 50:50 representation does not hold,” he added in reference to the proposal that the PM’s salary be pegged on that of the President.

In December 2006, Parliament gave President Kibaki a hefty pay raise, which he however turned down following a public outcry. The MPs pegged the President’s salary at Sh2 million up from Sh700,000 and his personal allowances at Sh1.2 million a month, bringing the total package to Sh3.2 million.

While rejecting the pay the President, had said: “I have taken note of the decision reached and weighed its implications under the current economic conditions prevailing in the country, and do hereby turn down the offer.”

He added: “It is imperative that remuneration due to public officers be a true reflection of the economic and social times of the nation.”

Full amount

However, from Mr Muthaura’s letter, the President appears to be drawing the full amount of Sh3.2 million.

At the time, lawyers had argued that it was the constitutional mandate of Parliament to set the President’s salary and his personal wishes did not matter.