No car grants for you, Serem tells reps

What you need to know:

  • But the Salaries and Remuneration Commission head, Sarah Serem, told them to their faces they would not get a pay increase or car grants because this would be unsustainable.
  • “A grant simply means a free gift. We should consider what giving each one a free car would mean for this country. Let us not fight for free things,” said Ms Serem.

The salaries team has ruled out car grants and a pay increase for members of county assemblies.

The MCAs had renewed their push for the grants during the second Devolution Conference in Kisumu.

On Thursday, they questioned the criteria used to deny them the grants while senators and MPs were entitled to them. They called for equal treatment with the Senate and the National Assembly members.

The ward representatives said this during a plenary session on the positive impact of devolution on the distribution of resources.

UNSUSTAINABLE

But the Salaries and Remuneration Commission head, Sarah Serem, told them to their faces they would not get a pay increase or car grants because this would be unsustainable.

“A grant simply means a free gift. We should consider what giving each one a free car would mean for this country. Let us not fight for free things,” said Ms Serem.

She told reps who attempted to boo her that their shouting would not make her change her mind.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale asked Ms Serem to explain why it was not possible to harmonise car grants for all elected members. Tana River Governor Hussein Daado said the commission should stop applying double standards on the matter.