MPs' Push for Increased Allowances Angers President Kenyatta

MPs' Push for Increased Allowances Angers President Kenyatta

President Kenyatta has slammed Members of Parliament over their planned push for "better terms of service" in a new Bill.

The Parliamentary Service Bill 2018 proposes that MPs be entitled to government vehicles, rent-free houses, enhanced medical insurances that cover their extended families as well as improved travel allowances.

“To enable the members discharge their responsibilities effectively and efficient functioning of parliament, these services and facilities shall be provided in such a manner and such rates as the commission may determine from time to time taking into account the rate applicable for other state officers,” the Bill states.

President Kenyatta has chided MPs over their push for increased benefits and privileges, terming the bill unacceptable, especially at a period when the country is experiencing hard economic times.

"Mwananchi angekua ametajirika, hatungekua na shida kama mungelipwa ata milioni. Lakini sasa wakenya hawana hata chakula na wewe unataka kuongeza mshahara!"

"Mimi sitaki vita na mtu yeyote lakini kuna mambo lazima tujadiliane," Kenyatta said in Swahili while speaking in Mombasa on Monday.

MPs also want to amend the law to give the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) the sole mandate of deciding their salaries. MPs' pay is currently determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

 “The employees of the commission shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as shall be determined by the commission," the Bill states.

“The terms and conditions of employees of the commission shall be reviewed every three years or within such a shorter period as the commission may determine.”

 

Comments

njai (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 10:12am

Time to dissolve this Parliament and call for fresh election. To keep on referring to these idlers as m-pigs is a big insult to the humble domestic animal that provides us with food. And I hear there is a new bill to add more slay-queens to the house in the name of gender balance. How balanced is the US house of reps or the British Parliament?

Imara Daima (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 10:30am

Ningependa kujua: Je, ni nani aliyekuja na wazo hili la kuongezewa mishahara na pia marupurupu kama haya ya ajabu?

Nimesoma ya kwamba kuna wajumbe wa bunge kadhaa ambao huja bungeni kuketi tu na kusikiliza bila kusema hata neno moja. Wachache tu ndio wanaozungumza bungeni. Mara kwa mara ukitazama waliomo bungeni hawazidi theluthi (1/3). Je wale wengine huwa wapi?

Nilisikia ya kwamba kuna mjumbe wa bunge wa zamani sasa amefariki Ndugu Kihika Kimani ambaye kwa miaka yote aliyokuwamo bungeni hakusema hata sentensi moja!!

Mugikuyu (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 12:44pm

Time to eliminate parliament all together. Kenya has governors and MCAs who can do the county work. Besides,this parliament does not understand it's role in the government.

Joe Kamande (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 01:39pm

This is madness. Even madness is a better word to use. This is called corruption through the back door if not legal corruption. These guys do not care for anyone else except their wives, slay queens, children and extended families as they call them. While the rest of us die of treatable diseases just because we cannot afford to go even to clinics, these goons are plotting how to make themselves fat on our backs. When will they have enough? Is adding perks to themselves the only thing they think and plan and execute fast and very well? If Kenyans cared, they should be on the streets by now. Uhuru, don’t sign onto this even if it means the end of your life. This is insane while we all know these goons are the same ones who took advantage of the loans that China and other counties have given us. As we pay these loans through our nose, they are trying to make us suffer and die in poverty. Don’t sign Uhuru. This is not the legacy you want to leave behind. In hell, our Mpigs belong. Where are the Mtavas who during his tenure as NCCK General Secretary used to cry foul of such matters as these? Where are the so called Christians in this house? Has everyone turned to a Judas, the money thief? Shame on you?

Maxikey (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 01:50pm

I get it now.So they have been very ineffective in their duties-getting D- due to lack of free housing and free transportation.Wow took me awhile to figure why we are still lagging behind South Korea,and Singapore, when at one point we were on the same par...
I see clearly now:the two aforementioned countries awarded their version of mpigs with free housing and free cars.Why didnt we do it earlier?

One2ManyDayz (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 03:01pm

A persons in clear conscience would not stop another from asking for what they are worth.
Salaries are earned and allowances are "allowed" and these are based on the (black) market value. If the employer (mwananchi) does not want to pay skyrocketing wage bill, fire them MPs, retrench them MCAs, and hire a lean team of men and women whose hearts are in the service of the masses. Expecting the current composition not to ask for payrise is like inviting a crowd for a dry-fasting party, while all the delicacies and and delicate quenchers are on display.

Godhavemercy (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 03:34pm

Good god. These folks don't even deserve the pay they are getting right now. They are corrupt and really do nothing to advance the real interest of regular wananchi. The actual number of this public officials ought to be reduced significantly. Get rid of the governors and eliminate the MCAs. All they do is misappropriate public funds on a daily basis. Corrupted to the core.

Jamama (not verified)     Tue, 11/20/2018 @ 05:22pm

Such a coward!

"Mimi sitaki vita na mtu yeyote lakini kuna mambo lazima tujadiliane,"

What is there to discuss? Just say you will not sign the bill.

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