The National Legislative Assembly

A demand by a group of parliamentarians for payment of 19-month salaries has been rejected by the transitional parliament.

About 27 MPs lost their seats after the outbreak of the violence in December 2013.

Some of them were sacked for absenteeism; others, for allegedly joining the armed opposition.

But then, they were reinstated this year in accordance with the August 2015 peace agreement.

After their reinstatement, the lawmakers petitioned the Legislature leadership, claiming the unknown amount of money.

However, the leadership of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has rubbished the payment request, saying the peace deal does not stipulate it.

“There is no article in this agreement which gives any legitimacy to claim for the period of their absence,” said Oliver Mori, Chairperson of the information committee.

“These very members who are asking for the 19-month salaries to be paid to them were not even considered as members by then until when they were brought back to their seats.”

Some members of parliament, particularly the Former Detainees, argued that they were moved to Nairobi by the Kenyan government and it was not their making.

This, too, has been rejected by the parliament.