KENYA: Civil Societies Protest MPs’ Greedy for Money
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| Protesters carried a dummy pig to represent the MPs |
Civil Society Organizations in Kenya staged a mega protest on 11th June 2013 against Members of Parliament who are demanding to institute a
legislation that would exorbitantly increase their remunerations to be the
highest paid MPs not only in African but the world over. The
demonstration was held peacefully despite the heavy presence of security
officers.
legislation that would exorbitantly increase their remunerations to be the
highest paid MPs not only in African but the world over. The
demonstration was held peacefully despite the heavy presence of security
officers.
The protesters blocked the
main entrance to the National Assembly for almost four hours waving placards
condemning MPs for their greed. The protesters carried a replica of a pig and
piglets to the doorsteps of the Parliament to signify MPs’ greed for money at
the expense of the taxpayers and the poor electorate.
main entrance to the National Assembly for almost four hours waving placards
condemning MPs for their greed. The protesters carried a replica of a pig and
piglets to the doorsteps of the Parliament to signify MPs’ greed for money at
the expense of the taxpayers and the poor electorate.
Earlier on President Uhuru
Kenyatta indicated that reviewing the salaries of Members of Parliament upward
would neither be feasible nor sustainable. He emphasized that MPs and all
public servants need to put the interests of the country first before their
own.
Kenyatta indicated that reviewing the salaries of Members of Parliament upward
would neither be feasible nor sustainable. He emphasized that MPs and all
public servants need to put the interests of the country first before their
own.
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| Protesters marching towards Parliament building |
This is the second time the
Civic activists are protesting to express the citizens’ condemnation of the
greed exhibited by the MPs even before they even start delivering on campaign
promises of the recently held elections.
Civic activists are protesting to express the citizens’ condemnation of the
greed exhibited by the MPs even before they even start delivering on campaign
promises of the recently held elections.
The Kenyan constitutionally
instituted body, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) set the
salaries for MPs at KSh532, 000 – which is about USD 6500 per month. The SRC
argued that the salaries were set in line with government revenue and
expenditure systems as guided by the National Treasury. However, the newly
elected MPs are demanding for KSh 850,000, which is equivalent to about USD
10,400.
instituted body, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) set the
salaries for MPs at KSh532, 000 – which is about USD 6500 per month. The SRC
argued that the salaries were set in line with government revenue and
expenditure systems as guided by the National Treasury. However, the newly
elected MPs are demanding for KSh 850,000, which is equivalent to about USD
10,400.
Commenting on the issue the
AMECEA Justice and Peace Coordinator, Fr Jude Waweru, said “the greedy for such
exorbitant salary hikes by MPs is a results their over expenditure during the
election campaigns. Elections are extremely becoming expensive business in most
African countries. A lot of personal money is spent with the hope that they
will be able to recover it on the pay thereafter. Therefore, the demand for pay
rise becomes necessary for them because they want to get back the money they
spent on campaigns. It is unfortunate that politics have been reduced to a
lucrative affair, quite different from the desire to serve the people.”
AMECEA Justice and Peace Coordinator, Fr Jude Waweru, said “the greedy for such
exorbitant salary hikes by MPs is a results their over expenditure during the
election campaigns. Elections are extremely becoming expensive business in most
African countries. A lot of personal money is spent with the hope that they
will be able to recover it on the pay thereafter. Therefore, the demand for pay
rise becomes necessary for them because they want to get back the money they
spent on campaigns. It is unfortunate that politics have been reduced to a
lucrative affair, quite different from the desire to serve the people.”
Fr Jude further said, “With
this attitude of MPs, there is going to be a growing animosity between citizens
and the leadership like it is being witnessed with the protests even with
animals (pigs). Remember most of the citizens are struggling to survive on so
little, and they live with vain hope that this regrettable scenario will one
day be over. They are negatively sensitive to any move that seems to ignore
this aspiration.”
this attitude of MPs, there is going to be a growing animosity between citizens
and the leadership like it is being witnessed with the protests even with
animals (pigs). Remember most of the citizens are struggling to survive on so
little, and they live with vain hope that this regrettable scenario will one
day be over. They are negatively sensitive to any move that seems to ignore
this aspiration.”
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| Protesters Camping at parliament building |
He went on to say, “bad
governance has for sure contributed to this issue of pay hike. Good governance
is about being sensitive to the welfare of all citizens (both rich and
poor). The issue of leaders hiking their pay is a clear indication of
greed, in a country that is still developing and is lacking equal distribution
of resources. Hiking of the salaries as demanded by MPs will negatively
affected the planned development for the social and economic benefit of the
majority of Kenyans who will continue to carry the burden of paying high taxes.
governance has for sure contributed to this issue of pay hike. Good governance
is about being sensitive to the welfare of all citizens (both rich and
poor). The issue of leaders hiking their pay is a clear indication of
greed, in a country that is still developing and is lacking equal distribution
of resources. Hiking of the salaries as demanded by MPs will negatively
affected the planned development for the social and economic benefit of the
majority of Kenyans who will continue to carry the burden of paying high taxes.
Fr. Jude advised the
government to remain committed to the welfare of the common citizens and
deliver on the priorities that they have pledged to the citizens. “It is
already clear that the issue of pay hike is not a priority in Kenya. The
protestors are clear that there are other priorities that need attention that
would relate to public welfare,” he said.
government to remain committed to the welfare of the common citizens and
deliver on the priorities that they have pledged to the citizens. “It is
already clear that the issue of pay hike is not a priority in Kenya. The
protestors are clear that there are other priorities that need attention that
would relate to public welfare,” he said.
SOURCE: AMECEA
Communication Office
Communication Office
