Speaker, MPs reject Namwamba plan to reduce their salaries

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and some MPs on Tuesday rejected Ababu Namwamba’s formula for ending the teachers strike, saying it does not offer sustainable measures to tackle the stalemate.

Mr Muturi said philanthropic measures are not the best way to raise the money needed to effect the 50-60 per cent teachers’ salary increase awarded by the courts last month.

Although he said he had forwarded the Budalang'i MP’s motion to the House Business Committee and it is likely to be debated on Wednesday, he said it was a poorly thought-out idea meant to unnecessarily excite teachers. He also said some of the clauses proposed in the motion would require a referendum.

“Philanthropy will not help. We need to address matters of the public wage bill squarely and come up with what will be sustainable to the economic matters facing this country,” said Mr Muturi after the launch of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training in Karen, Nairobi.

REDUCING PAY

He also said that salaries are determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and Parliament had no role in reducing pay for public and state officers.

In the motion, Mr Namwamba has proposed that the salaries of lawmakers and other senior government officers be slashed by half to pay teachers and address the rising wage bill.

Those to be affected include the President and his deputy, MPs, senators, Speakers of both Houses, judges, constitutional commissioners, Cabinet and principal secretaries, governors and county government officials.

The Bill also proposes creating a team to consider reducing the number of constituencies, counties and wards so as to reduce the number of legislators.

Yesterday, Mr Muturi said he had approved the motion and that it now awaits clearance by the House Business Committee.

He was flanked by Migori Senator Wilfred Machage, Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga.

“There is no deduction that can be effected through that Motion. It proposes all manner of populist statements. I don’t participate in antics of populism,” Mr Muturi said when asked if he was ready to forfeit part of his salary for the teachers’ cause.

POPULIST PROPOSALS

Mr Muturi said lawmakers have no power over their salaries and in the unlikely event that the motion passes, the funds would be put in a suspense account and would not be given directly to teachers.

The MPs present also faulted Mr Namwamba, accusing him of seeking publicity with what they said were unworkable and populist proposals.

“Such a sweeping statement by someone who has travelled to New York on a first-class ticket has no impact. It is hypocrisy of the highest order,” said Ms Wanga.

She said the idea of reviewing the public wage bill must be looked at in a more practical and realistic manner, not through sideshows.

In Nyeri, Jubilee MPs vowed to reject any attempt to cut their pay as senators criticised the government for not doing enough to resolve the ongoing teachers’ strike.

MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Peter Weru (Mathira) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) yesterday said Mr Namwamba’s proposals were unrealistic.

CANNOT AFFORD PAY CUT

Speaking at the burial of Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe’s father in Mukurwe-ini, the MPs said Mr Namwamba’s suggestions were not workable.

“MPs' salaries are over-committed and they cannot afford a pay cut,” said Mr Waititu.

Mr Weru said the Budalang'i MP had no moral authority “to try and purport that MPs and other senior government officials have to take a pay cut to cater for teachers’ pay”.

He urged teachers to consider dialogue to end the education crisis.

Other political leaders who took to the podium to mourn Mr Kagwe’s father, Mr Elizaphan Kagwe Mutahi, who was 82, called for practical solutions to resolve the dispute.

Nyandarua Senator Muriuki Karue called on religious, political and government leaders to share ideas on practical solutions to the crisis.

Kwale Senator Boy Juma Boy said: “Let’s engage wise leaders from all walks and this crisis will come to (an) end.”

Additional reporting by James Ngunjiri and Alice Nduta.