Such avarice will be Kenya’s undoing

Once again our MPs have exhibited their insatiable greed by rejecting the Government’s plan to tax their allowances.

And as they arm-twisted acting Finance minister John Michuki into acquiescence, a pathetic drama was playing outside Parliament Buildings. Scores of displaced women were being teargassed by police for protesting over their desolate living conditions in camps.

The paradox sharply demonstrated the selfishness of MPs. While the rest of Kenyans try to survive under all sorts difficulties, MPs, who are lavishly paid for little work, want to have it easy all through.

This greed has always pitted the legislators against the public. And on Wednesday, there was outpouring of discontent as Kenyans expressed justifiable outrage at the MPs’ action, accusing them of insensitivity.

Kenyans, it has been observed, are some of the highest taxed people in the world. Worse, they have seen their incomes dwindle in recent years due to a non-performing economy and soaring inflation.

Thus, they take serious exception to their representatives seeking tax exemption at a time when all should pool resources together for the common good.

As has been said in the past, MPs can differ over anything under the sun, but when it comes to remuneration, they close ranks and form an unholy alliance – that of economic exploiters.

Leadership is about sacrifice, honesty and example. With actions like this, MPs lose the moral authority to make decisions over tax. Why should they make laws against tax evasion when they resist paying any?

With the benefit of hindsight, one of the reasons why the MPs viciously tore into former Finance minister Amos Kimunya a few months ago, was his strident push for taxation of all constitutional office-holders.

Observers have suggested that the State divests from the MPs the power of determining their own pay perks. But doing so will be difficult because it will require amendment to the laws by the same MPs.

But there is still hope. Kenyans must continue the push for constitutional changes that may eliminate anomalies like this.