Jubilee, Nasa table names for Sh1.4m Eala jobs

The race for East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) seats that come with a $14,000 (Sh1.4 million) monthly pay started on Thursday after the main political parties nominated people to represent them at the Arusha-based body.

Former National Assembly Clerk Justin Bundi and former Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo and are on the list presented by National Assembly Aden Duale for election.

Also on the list is former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, who was persuaded by the party to step down in favour of Yusuf Hassan.

Only five of the selected 15 will be chosen to represent the party at the regional parliament.

The Opposition tabled five names, including Abubakar Zein, Kennnedy Musyoka, Ronald Ngeny and Judy Pareno, the ODM National Elections Board chairperson.

Mr Musyoka is the son of Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper Party leader. Eight persons have applied to contest the slots as independent candidates.

The job is one of the most lucrative legislative in the region. It comes with a basic pay of $6,408 and allowances that could lift the monthly pay to Sh1.4 million. This places them slight above Kenya MPs who earn approximately Sh1 million. Eala on Thursday defended the pay scale.

“The perks are competitive given their mandate of legislation, oversight and representation. They represent East Africans,” said the regional assembly in a statement.

The 349 MPs and 68 Senators will participate in electing the nine Eala members.

Kenya has nine slots in Eala whose total membership is 52. Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi contribute equal number of lawmakers.

The five neighbouring countries are members of the East African Community (EAC).

Jubilee coalition has five slots while Cord Coalition, now renamed NASA coalition contributes four.

Cord has, however, presented a list of only four nominees. Ford-Kenya though not considered a party under the standing orders nominated Caroline Achieng Oduor.