The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has been sued for slashing the benefits payable to judges in terms of medical entitlements and traveling allowances.
SRC in a letter dated October 13, restructured the remuneration of judges and magistrates with documents filed in court showing optical entitlement was reduced from fromSh200,000 to Sh75,000 and dental from Sh200,000 to Sh75,000.
SRC according to the court papers has also varied downward travelling allowance from Sh25,000 to Sh18,000 which is payable to judges for on-duty travel from their working station.
In her case, the petitioner Marion says the SRC did not consult the Kenya Judges Welfare Association before making the changes.
“While the SRC has made marginal increases in the judge’s salaries, it has acted without jurisdiction in formulating benefits of Judges which unless urgently resolved would be detrimental to the independence of the Judiciary and delivery of justice,” said Marion.
She has asked the court to suspend the implementation of the SRC’s directive which reduced certain benefits to persons holding the office of Judge.
In addition, she has faulted the letter for failing to address travel arrangements or transport allowance for Judges who are not allocated official vehicles or in instances the official vehicle has broken down.
She explains that the allowances lowered in optical entitlement and transport are critical. This is due to the extent to which judges use computers to conduct online court sessions, carry out research and type decisions.
