Samson Cherargei Decries Salary Delays, Threatens To Lead Protests: "Ground Vitu Ni Different"

• Nandi senator Samson Cherargei explained to the Senate the pains their staff go through due to the postponement of their payments by the national treasury
• Cherargei informed the Senate that they would boycott the remainder of the Thursday session should the Speaker fail to address their concerns
• He called on Speaker Amason Kingi to intervene in their 'embarrassing' state by asking the National Treasury to expedite their payment process

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nandi senator Samson Cherargei has expressed disappointment over the laxity of National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u in disbursing salaries.

Why is Cherargei concerned about Senate staff?

Cherargei lamented about the state of their staff, who have yet to receive their payments.

Speaking at the Senate on Thursday, December 7, he cited the shame they go through when they meet their unpaid staff.

"When our drivers drive us when hungry, they might go off the road and cause accidents. I doubt if you will sit pretty because we will give your number to our workers so that they can call and you can explain the situation to them. Vitu kwa ground ni different, sir," he stated.

"Some of them have school fees, medical bills, and rent. You can imagine walking to your office to face your staff, who have not been paid for office operations, in these tough economic times. We must be serious," he lamented.

Cherargei threatens to lead protests

The outspoken and fearless senator informed the Senate and Speaker Amason Kingi that they would boycott the remaining agenda and Friday's morning session until their pleas were addressed.

"Mr Speaker, I want to say that we shall not come in for tomorrow morning's sitting. As we talk, we are going to walk out. We are going to crumble everything. We cannot proceed until we resolve this embarrassing issue. What business do we have here if there is no money? With the harsh economic times," he posed.

The legislator added that the wait may result in auctioning their office furniture due to delays in payment rents.

"Salaries have not been paid for our workers. Our landlords are closing our county offices across the 47 counties. Mr. Speaker, there is no money virtually. The service providers want to auction the Senate furniture that has been put in most of our offices," cried Cherargei.

MPs protest delay in CDF disbursement

On Tuesday, December 5, the National Assembly members walked out of the afternoon session shouting 'no CDF, no parliament' in unison, demanding the release of CDF funds before they could break for the long recess.

They criticised the exchequer for deferring the disbursement of the fund and instead focusing on the national government.

"The government is always supporting its executive programmes to the detriment of CDF. What we are saying is that we are suspending all sittings and government business until CDF is expended. In January, new students are joining Form 1 and others are continuing in high school. So we are saying they must provide money now and no later. No CDF, no Parliament," said Jared Okello of the Nyando constituency.