Nairobi — The Parliamentary Service Commission should be restructured and MPs barred from being members, an anti-graft agency has said.

In an integrity study of the Kenyan Parliament, Transparency International (TI) found there was a conflict of interest among the MPs.

The commission, which determines the remuneration of MPs and parliamentary staff, is chaired by the Speaker, assisted by the leader of the Government Business and has eight sitting MPs as members.

"Effectively, the MPs act as the judge and jury in deciding their own cause," said TI director Job Ogonda.

Not surprising

Mr Ogonda said it was not surprising that in matters concerning their remuneration and benefits, MPs voted in their self interest.

Today, Kenyan MPs enjoy some of the best salaries and perks by international standards. They also continue to enjoy privileged status through exemption from paying taxes on allowances and other benefits.

"Spouses of MPs should also not be allowed to serve in the PSC or parliamentary service to avoid conflict of interest," said the report.

TI also wants a gratuity motion passed by MPs scrapped, since they are under a pension scheme.

The MPs passed the gratuity motion in the last Parliament, allowing each to take home Sh300,000 for every year served, on top of their pension benefits.