Members of Parliament (MPs) have been ordered to refund Sh3 billion in house allowances that they illegally awarded themselves two years ago.
The case was filed by Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and activist Okiya Omtatah.
The petitioners challenged the Sh250, 000 house allowance that the 416 MPs awarded themselves.
”The High Court has directed the clerks of the Senate and National Assembly to recover salaries and allowances from every MP, which was paid as accommodation or house allowance, within one year. The court termed the move by Parliamentary Service Commission to approve the allowances as illegal.” reads the statement.
On Thursday, a three-judge bench directed the Clerk of the Senate and National Assembly to recover in full the aforementioned amount from the salaries and allowances of each legislator.
The judges ruled that the SRC directive did not interfere with the constitution independence of parliament and PSC.
The National Assembly paid only sh 357.2 million for five and half months before SRC obtained a stay of execution. Thus only an amount of sh.1.2 million per Member would have to be recovered if the ruling is sustained.
The MPs will each be required to pay back Sh7.2 million from their salaries within the next one year.
