Greedy MPs Dealt a Major Blow as Court Slams the Brakes on Fat Perks
The Court of Appeal has overturned the Parliamentary Service Commission’s (PSC) decision to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) a house allowance of Ksh250,000. This decision was made in opposition to the recommendations of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
A three-judge panel delivered the ruling on February 21, also nullifying the Parliamentary Commission’s move to remove the cap on the sitting allowances MPs receive.
This ruling came after PSC had appealed to stop SRC from interfering in the payment of both house and sitting allowances for lawmakers. However, SRC argued that the allowances were increased without following the correct constitutional process.
As a respondent in the case, SRC told the court that PSC had acted beyond its legal powers by making decisions that legally belong to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
“SRC has the legal authority to set and approve MP allowances, as per Article 259 of the Constitution. PSC violated this by granting allowances without SRC’s approval,” SRC stated during the proceedings.
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While rejecting PSC’s appeal, the court observed that MPs had already started receiving the allowances illegally, making the appeal ineffective.
In its defense, PSC accused SRC of exceeding its mandate by trying to regulate how often MPs could sit. The parliamentary commission also complained that SRC’s interference undermined its authority to handle parliamentary affairs, including payments.
After reviewing the case, the court ruled that SRC had acted within its legal rights. It justified SRC’s actions as necessary for controlling government spending and ensuring that all salary decisions follow constitutional rules.
The judgment reaffirmed that SRC has the sole power to determine salaries for State officers, including MPs and Senators. This confirmed SRC’s critical role in managing public funds responsibly.
“Having reviewed this case, we see no reason to overturn the decision. The appeal is therefore dismissed, and the appellants must cover the legal costs,” the court ruled.
Greedy MPs Dealt a Major Blow as Court Slams the Brakes on Fat Perks
