Kenyans Outraged at MPs ‘Gluttonous’ Perks

Kenyans have been left outraged and markedly disappointed following news that there are plans afoot by Members of Parliament to reinstate and increase allowances that were previously scrapped by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Members of civil society, religious leaders and consumer groups gave branded the move ‘insensitive, outrageous and ridiculous at best.’ Kenyans have taken to social media using the hashtag #BureKabisa, many arguing that these allowances are just greedy and pose a threat to future generations.

Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) Secretary-General Stephen Mutoro said the new demands by MPs and threats to force their way to have the demands met border on recklessness and are ridiculous in the eyes of the public.

He added that the MPs are not just becoming a threat to independent institutions, but are also ruining the lives of future generations.

"It's like they live in another world separate from the rest of us. The demands are ridiculous and the legislators are now pushing Kenyans to the brink of a revolution. It's time we stood up and said 'enough is enough'," he cautioned. The bullish behaviour by the MPs, he said, is informed by the fact that they have connived to water down clauses on how they can be recalled.

Civil Society Reference Group (CSRG) Presiding Convener Suba Churchill said the demands are a clear sign of how deep-rooted impunity is in the country, perpetuated by individuals in trusted positions of leadership.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) National chairman Yusuf Nzibo termed the move as "morally wrong" and against the wishes of Kenyans.

MPs have however lashed out, with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), who’s in charge of MPs and parliamentary staff has accused the SRC chairperson of ‘distorting facts’ and setting the public against them.

Should the MPs' demands sail through, their salaries will be increased from the current Sh1.1 million to between Sh2.1 million and Sh2.9 million a month.

In a memorandum to the SRC, the lawmakers are seeking to have their car grants doubled from the current Sh5 million to Sh10 million. They also want an increase of their mortgage entitlements, to extend their medical cover to more than one spouse, and retain huge car maintenance and mileage allowances. Should their demands for an increased car grant fail, the MPs have threatened to use taxpayers' money to buy top-of-the-range four-wheel-drive vehicles for the 359 of them.