Greed of our MPs a national shame

Our members of Parliament have proved, once again, how selfish, unfeeling and inconsiderate they are. They could not have chosen a worse time to fast-track another increase in their own salaries and benefits.

In the middle of a divisive campaign ahead of the referendum, the MPs have clearly demonstrated they value the pursuit of individual gain more than they care about public interests.

They absolutely cannot justify why they had to rush through, in one sitting, debate on a matter of such great public interest.

Just the other month when MPs were called to put aside narrow sectional and partisan interests to resolve contentious issues in the proposed constitution, they failed the test abysmally.

Not a single proposed amendment could go through because they decided to put on an amazing display of infantile behaviour. They scrambled out of Parliament en masse every time an amendment was called to vote.

The outcome is the national fracture we are witnessing now with the referendum campaigns, because the MPs spurned the opportunity to create a document that would be acceptable to the majority.

However, when it comes to the feathering their own nests, they will always be in unanimity. There was not a single dissenting voice when they moved to increase their pay packets.

Even those not in the House cannot plead innocence, for silence means consent, and they must have stayed away deliberately.

There was much more important business to be concluded before the House adjourned, but obviously, the MPs were in a rush to pass that motion.

It is also evident that they wanted it passed before a new constitution is in place. That can only be because the proposed laws would strip them of the power to determine their own salaries and benefits.

In their rush, the MPs also chose to ignore one of the key recommendations of the Akiwumi tribunal – that any pay rises endorsed by the National Assembly should not apply to the Parliament passing the measure, but only to the next Parliament.

Enough is enough

The MPs went further and fixed their salaries and allowances even higher than the rates recommended by the Akiwumi tribunal, pleading that under the new terms, they will now be paying taxes on more of their salaries and allowances.

However, that explanation disguises the fact that they actually voted themselves an increment that not only cushions them against any income loss from paying taxes, but also gives them a take-home substantially higher than they are presently earning.

Our MPs and ministers are already about the highest paid in the world. In per capita terms, they probably rank at the top globally. It is time Kenyans stood up as one and told them enough is enough! MPs are elected to serve, not to enrich themselves.

It is time they were told that leadership is a service rather than a money-making enterprise. If the MPs want pay packages that compete with the money-minting captains of commerce and industry, then they would be advised to resign representative posts and venture out to create enterprises that will pay them anything they think they are worth.

The government has in the recent past given in to blackmail by MPs, but this time, it must stand firm and side with the people. The proposals adopted by Parliament must still go through a legislative process. That is where the government must say No!