Members of the Embu county assembly yesterday downed their tools demanding an increase in their salary and allowances.
They vowed to suspend sittings until the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) increases their basic salary to Sh350,000 and be accorded better sitting and car allowances.
In a motion of adjournment debated morning, the members said the Sh79,000 salary they are receiving is too little and urged the SRC honour a promise to increase it.
In the motion moved by the leader of majority Andrew Mbithi, the members said they would boycott sittings until the Sarah Serem led commission accepts to pay them Sh350 000 as basic salary in addition to other allowances.
The Mwea county representative said the Sh79 000 amounted to slightly over Sh47 000 after tax.
“We resigned from very high earning jobs to come and serve the community where we come from, we even moved our families from Nairobi to Embu, only to be slapped with a salary that cannot even sustain us,” he said.
RESPECT US TOO
Runyenjes central ward Representative Steve Simba who seconded the motion said the members play a similar role to that of MPs and urged SRC to respect them.
Mr Simba also complained that the assembly had approved a Sh66 million budget where each member was to receive a Sh2 million car grant but SRC had declined to approve.
He said most members were now using matatus and boda boda to get to the assembly.
Mr Simba also appealed to the government to set aside a ward development fund to steer development at the grassroots.
Kiambere ward representative Martin Mwangi said the assembly has already passed over 20 motions within six months and deserved better pay.
“Mr Speaker I want you to call us back here when there is a Sh350 000 salary in our accounts, we will not negotiate when working because it seems going on strike is the language that Sarah Serem understands best,” he said.
Mr Mwangi said some of the members commute daily from their wards to the assembly more than 150 kilometers.
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