NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 3 – Parliament wants the salaries of Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) officials reduced and fresh blood injected to spur the anti-graft body onto results.
Contributing to a report by the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on the approval of two assistant directors to the Commission, legislators expressed their dissatisfaction with the performance of the Commission in fighting corruption in the country.
Chairman Abdikadir Mohamed said that the salaries of the top officials at the commission were “unacceptable and inappropriate.”
“We have sought and gained assurances from the Ministry of Justice that they will pick that matter with the advisory board. If that does not happen the committee will propose amendments to the law requiring that the salaries be in line with the reality of our economy,” Mr Mohammed said while moving the Motion in the House.
KACC Director Aaron Ringera earns up to Sh2.5 million in salary and allowances monthly, while his four assistants take home Sh1.7 million. Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto however regretted that despite the huge perks the Commission had nothing to show for it.
“We expected that they would crack on some of the serious drain to the exchequer in the past but these issues have continued unabated,” he complained.
“We need to have reforms our salary structures and come up with a body to come up with structure for salaries of public servants,” Nairobi Metropolitan Development Minister Njeru Githae said as he backed the call to reduce the perks.
MPs George Khaniri, Joyce Laboso, Martha Karua and Omingo Magara went to the extent of calling for the disbandment of the Commission and the reconstitution of the same.
“The problem at KACC is under capacity in terms of professional know-how,” Ms Karua said.
Ms Laboso added: “We want new blood so that we can see results.”
The House finally approved David Mutonyi and Wilson Kiprotich as assistant directors but with some disquiet. The tenure of Justice Ringera and two assistant directors are set to expire in October and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo has said that their replacement or renewal of contracts will start soon.
Garsen MP Danson Mungatana had alleged that one of the spouses of the proposed persons was involved in shady deals at the Department of Defence. His attempts to defer the motion until Cyrus Jirongo could provide evidence to support the allegations were however defeated.
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