Don’t sign Bill awarding MPs Sh2bn, Kibaki urged
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua. Photo/DIANA NGILA
What you need to know:
- Mudavadi and Karua among leaders who have criticised move by legislators to reward themselves
- Karua says the proposed increase of a Sh2 billion burden on the taxpayer was a manifestation of the rot in the country’s leadership
The decision by MPs to award themselves a Sh2 billion send-off package continued to elicit anger from Kenyans on Sunday.
Narc Kenya presidential aspirant Martha Karua asked President Kibaki not to assent to the Bill granting lawmakers the golden handshake.
Speaking in Wangige Town, Ms Karua said: “The Constitution does not allow MPs to raise their salary, allowances or other benefits, but states clearly that this role is the preserve of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.”
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi called for a reconsideration of Parliament’s decision to award MPs a retirement package.
He called for an amendment to the Finance Bill that has proposed the payment, saying, it does not augur well, coming immediately after the public sector was hit by labour unrest.
“In view of the existence of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and agitation by the public, Parliament may have sent a negative signal with this award. I ask the President to hold his assent to allow the agency to do its work,” he said.
Mr Mudavadi appealed to President Kibaki to keenly listen to public concerns and advise Parliament against the award.
In Kakamega, church leaders and their political counterparts said the move by MPs portrays them as selfish individuals, bent to exploit taxpayers.
Bishop Julius Abung’ana of Believer Revival Mission Churches of Kenya and Bishop Rashid Nanjira of Christian Prayer Warrior Church, Mumias, said it was improper for the government to deprive the free learning programme, among other crucial projects, of cash while MPs take home millions of shillings. Politicians Joel Indakwa and Martin Andati also criticised the move by the MPs.
