Coronavirus: Speakers Lusaka, Muturi take 30% pay cuts as MPs still consulting

Coronavirus: Speakers Lusaka, Muturi take 30% pay cuts as MPs still consulting

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka and his National Assembly counterpart Justin Muturi have now agreed to take voluntary 30% pay cuts in order to free up funds towards the fight against the coronavirus.

Speaker Lusaka, addressing the press on Thursday, said their salaries would be slashed for the next three months.

Lusaka said their decision was informed by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s announcement on Tuesday that senior ranking members of the Executive had agreed to take salary reductions and his subsequent appeal to leaders to do the same.

“This time calls for individual and collective sacrifice…we have consulted with my brother here (Muturi) and we speak for ourselves. We have agreed that we’re going to take a salary cutoff 30% for the next three months until the situation improves,” he said.

“But for members of the National Assembly and members of the Senate, consultations are still going on and, in due course, we will be telling the country on measures that will be taken – both individually and as an institution of Parliament – on how we can support what the president has called on us as leaders to do.”

Speaker Lusaka also revealed that the Senate had resolved to reconvene on Tuesday next week and to, thereafter, meet once weekly.

Muturi, on his part, said that for the National Assembly to be recalled, either the leader of majority of the minority needs to write to the Speaker; something he added hasn’t happened yet.

“The law requires leader of the majority or minority to write to the speaker to cause a recall of the House. So far, we have no request and, as such, the two Houses remain on a short recess. But the coronavirus situation is very serious and we have to think about it,” he noted.

“There is no requirement for members to collect signatures. You just write and state the business to be transacted. These are extraordinary times. There could be a reason to recall the House. The chamber can accommodate 450 members, quorum is 50 members for the National Assembly and 15 for the Senate…some members are afraid of congregating.”

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parliament President Uhuru Kenyatta justin muturi kenneth lusaka

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