County Speakers Move to Court Seeking Personal Car Alongside Official Vehicle
The Background
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is a constitutional body established by the Constitution of Kenya to oversee the remuneration of public officials. The SRC is responsible for setting the salaries and allowances of public officials, including county assembly members. However, the SRC has been criticized for not providing adequate compensation to county assembly members.
The Grievance
County assembly speakers have been at the forefront of the fight for better remuneration for county assembly members. They have been demanding a one-time Ksh5 million car grant per county assembly term and a monthly car maintenance allowance. The speakers argue that the current remuneration package is inadequate and does not reflect the value of their role in the county assembly. Key demands: + One-time Ksh5 million car grant per county assembly term + Monthly car maintenance allowance + Improved remuneration package
The Court Case
The county assembly speakers have taken the SRC to court, seeking a court order to compel the SRC to provide them with the demanded remuneration.
Students protest library fee policy, citing unfairness and discrimination.
The first notice, dated July 2022, was issued to the University of Ghana’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor E.T. Mensah, and the second notice, dated August 2023, was issued to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor E.T. Mensah’s successor.
Background
The petition, which has garnered significant attention and support, is a response to the SRC’s decision to introduce a new policy requiring students to pay a fee for the use of the university’s library facilities. The policy, which was introduced without prior consultation with students, has been met with widespread criticism and opposition from students, who argue that it is unfair and discriminatory. Key points of contention: + The policy is seen as an attempt to generate revenue without considering the financial burden on students. + The policy is discriminatory, as it disproportionately affects students from lower-income backgrounds.
They claim that the county assembly has a responsibility to provide a personal car for the speaker’s use, as they are the representative of the community.
The Debate Over Personal Car Grants
The debate over personal car grants has been ongoing for several years, with various stakeholders presenting their arguments. The county assembly has been providing a personal car to the speaker, but the speakers argue that this is not sufficient and that they need a personal car grant to cover the costs of maintenance and other expenses. Key points of contention: + The county assembly’s responsibility to provide a personal car for the speaker’s use + The distinction between a personal benefit and a county asset + The need for a personal car grant to cover maintenance and other expenses
The Official Car as a County Asset
The speakers argue that the official car is not a personal benefit but rather a county asset. This responsibility is rooted in the speaker’s role as a representative of the community, and the county assembly’s obligation to provide a personal car is a fundamental aspect of this role. Examples of the speaker’s role as a representative of the community: + Attending community events and meetings + Representing the community’s interests in county assemblies + Providing a link between the community and the county assembly
The Need for a Personal Car Grant
The speakers argue that the county assembly’s provision of a personal car is not sufficient to cover the costs of maintenance and other expenses.
Petitioners Challenge Gazette Notices Over Alleged Discrimination Against Deputy Speakers and MCAs.
The court will have to decide whether the policies are constitutional and if they unfairly discriminate against deputy speakers and MCAs.
The Case Against the Gazette Notices
The petitioners, led by the Kenya National Union of Teachers, are challenging the constitutionality of the gazette notices issued in 2022 and 2023. The notices, which were published in the Kenya Gazette, outlined the transport benefits for county speakers and deputy speakers. The petitioners claim that these policies unfairly favor deputy speakers and Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Key Issues at Stake
The Petitioners’ Arguments
The petitioners argue that the gazette notices are unconstitutional because they do not provide equal benefits to deputy speakers and MCAs.
SRC’s favoritism in transport benefits allocation sparks controversy and unfair treatment among county assembly leaders.
The Allegations Against SRC
The allegations against SRC revolve around the allocation of transport benefits to deputy speakers and MCAs. The claim is that SRC has created an unfair system where certain individuals can choose their preferred vehicles, while others are left with less desirable options. The allegations are based on the following points:
- Deputy speakers and MCAs are allowed to choose their preferred vehicles, which can lead to favoritism and unfair treatment. SRC has created a system where transport benefits are allocated based on the preferences of the deputy speakers and MCAs, rather than on the needs of the county. This has resulted in disparities in how transport benefits are allocated among county assembly leaders.
