• Kenyans were shocked by the sorry-state payslip of Mumias MP Peter Salasya, which showed the paltry salary he takes home
• For instance, in the month of June, despite a gross pay of KSh 1.2m, the MP took home KSh 2,300 net pay after an avalanche of deductions
• To put things into perspective, Salasya explained that he compliments his income with the proceeds of businesses he runs

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Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya says he lives off proceeds from his businesses.

This was after his payslip indicated he takes home a paltry amount from his salary as a lawmaker.

For instance, the politician took home KSh 2,364 in June despite getting KSh 1.2 million as his gross pay.

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Here is how I survive; Salasya

Taking a huge chunk of the deductions were his individual income tax (KSh 360,500) and mortgage (KSh 542,000).

Others were channelled to, among others, loans, the parliamentarians Sacco and Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA).

Members of the public queried how the MP was surviving and funding his affluent life with the little he earned.

A section concluded Salasya could fraudulently be sustaining himself with the monies from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Clearing the air, the MP explained that he runs short-term accommodation and hotel businesses, which complement his income.

"I have three Airbnbs in Nairobi with each giving me KSh 40,000 per month. I drink double black worth KSh 8,000 depending on the club. I also have a small hotel which gives me a daily profit of kSh 5,000. The reason I posted my payslip is to show Kenyans on behalf of others what payslips look like. The president doesn't want to see our payslips flourishing, thus the many taxes, including house levy etc. Kenyans focusing only on salaries won't achieve much. Let us put more focus on budget process," he said.

MPs reject salary increment

This came as a host of lawmakers disapproved of the move by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to revise upward the salaries of state officers, among them MPs, senators, governors, Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.

For instance, in its gazette notice, the SRC said that Moses Wetang'ula, the speaker of the National Assembly, and Amason Kingi, the speaker of the Senate, would receive a gross salary of KSh 1,208,362 this month, up from KSh 1,185,327.

The pay increase would also benefit Gladys Boss Shollei, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, and Kathuri Murungi, the deputy speaker of the Senate; the duo would receive a gross salary of KSh 966,690, up from KSh 948,261.

Kimani Ichung'wah, the leader of the majority in the National Assembly, and Opiyo Wandayi, the minority leader, will earn KSh 800,019.

Salasya was among the 115 MPs from the Azimio La Umoja coalition who voted against the bill.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke