Azimio calls for probe into KRA over “delayed civil servants, MPs’ salaries”
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya has called for probe into the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya and the National Treasury and their systems following alleged delay in payment of civil servants and MPs’ salaries.
In a press statement, minority leader Opiyo Wandayi expressed the party’s disappointment noting that the situation had been “degenerating progressively”.
“For the first time since independence in 1963, the government of Kenya is unable to pay salaries to civil servants and members of parliament. Nearly all civil servants don’t know when or if they will ever be paid. The situation has been degenerating progressively since December last year. This month, things have come to ahead. For the first time in our history, even MPs have not been paid as we head towards mid-month, ” it read.
He went on to hint at possible foul play in the delay in payment.
“Only members of the security services-police and military-have been paid as we speak and the reason must be obvious to all. But it won’t be long before members of the disciplined forces also begin missing salaries if we continue this way,” he said.
According to Wandayi, national and county governments have not received revenue for at least four months, a trend that the party fears may hinder operations in even parastatals.
“This is happening at a time counties have also not received revenue from the National Treasury for at least four months now. Both national and county governments are struggling to pay salaries and service delivery is getting compromised with every passing month. Soon, even parastatals will not be able to operate,” he said.
The government according to Wandayi owes state agencies KES 204 billion and counties are demanding KES 92.5 billion which is the equitable share for the months of January, February, and March.
“This state of affairs calls for bold leadership. We are calling on parliament to take leadership and conduct inquiry on the financial and economic crisis building up in the country before we collapse like other African countries that have gone that route,” he said.
The party further called for a “close and thorough look” into revenue collection points and revenue sources.
“We need to take a close and thorough look at the goings-on at our revenue collection points and revenue sources like the Kenya Airports Authority, the courts, customs, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), aids and grants and revenue administration in addition to probing government spending,” he said.
Civil Servants and MPs have allegedly not received their March salaries.