THE STANDARD
KENYA
President Uhuru Kenyatta [File, Standard]
Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) may have to wait a little longer to benefit from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Sh4.5 billion car grant pledge.
Just days after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chair Lynn Mengich gave the green light to governors to effect the conversion of the car loan into car grants in line with President Kenyatta’s pledge to MCAs, the Controller of Budget (CoB) is raising fundamental concerns that could slow implementation.
In a letter to SRC Chief Executive Officer Ann Gitau, the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango has cautioned that most counties budgeted for a car loan facility and not a grant.
THE STANDARD
POLITICS
President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses Jubilee Governors and MCAs during a past meeting at State House, Nairobi.
The Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) has approved the Sh4.5 billion car grants for MCAs and their speakers paving way for its implementation.
In a statement sent to media houses on Tuesday, SRC chairperson Lynn Mengich said the commission has reviewed and directed the conversion of the Sh4.5 billion Car Loan Benefit to a Transport Facilitation Benefit in form of a grant for the MCAs.
“Taking into account the principle of equity and fairness, affordability and fiscal sustainability, SRC hereby reviews the car loan benefit as set earlier to a transport facilitation benefit in the form of a grant,” read the statement in parts.
THE STANDARD
KENYA
Salaries and Remuneration Commission chairperson Lynn Mengich with vice-chairman Dalmas Otieno briefing on house allowance for members of parliament and senate on May 15, 2019. [David Gichuru]
The Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) is reluctant to make any commitment in the raging debate over the Sh4.5 billion car grants for MCAs.
On Friday last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta yielded to pressure from MCAs from the Mt Kenya region and promised them a Sh2 million car grant each after they made it a condition for passing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Bill.
Uhuru’s car grant offer was seconded by ODM leader Raila Odinga, who while meeting MCAs from Nyanza region, said the representatives had a right to enjoy the privilege.