Lawyers, clerics condemn MPs for rejecting tax
Parliament in session. MPs have been roundly criticised for rejecting plans to tax their hefty allowances. Photo/FILE
The Law Society of Kenya on Wednesday joined civil society and religious leaders in condemning MPs’ rejection of a proposal to have their allowances taxed.
The national vice-chairman of LSK, Mr Aggrey Mwamu, said it was grossly unfair for MPs to expect other Kenyans to pay taxes while they were exempted. He said this was an abuse of parliamentary privilege.
Express anger
“The world is faced with the worst recession ever that requires all national resources to be pooled to shield the poor. Our MPs must lead by example,” he added.
Dr Argwings Kodhek, the Western regional coordinator of the Council of Non-Governmental Organisations said civil society will protest the “selfish action”. He said Kenyans should express their anger by rejecting the MPs in the next election.
Bishop Otieno Wasonga of the Maseno West diocese of the Anglican Church called for a constitutional reform to address such injustices.
“The MPs’ decision shows great injustice... those in authority often support reforms on good governance but when they feel that a policy is unfavourable to them, they brush it aside,” he said.
In the North Rift, clerics said the allowances must be taxed to raise funds for development.
“MPs, like other Kenyans, should not be exempt from paying taxes. In any case, they are allocated a huge allowance, which is a burden to the taxpayers,” Bishop Thomas Kogo of the Anglican Inland Church, Eldoret diocese said.
The secretary-general of Reformed Church of East Africa, Rev Samson Akoru urged the MPs to lead by example. “It is unfair for MPs not to be taxed while ordinary Kenyans, including clerics, are paying huge taxes,” Rev Akoru said.
A political activist in Uasin Gishu, Mr Kipkorir Menjo said the MPs were hypocritical.
Rich lifestyles
“How can they say they care about us but refuse to pay taxes? It is utterly insensitive for them to expect the poor to pay for their rich lifestyles,” he said.
The MPs on Tuesday arm-twisted acting Finance minister John Michuki into dropping the proposal to tax their hefty allowances by threatening to shoot down the crucial Finance Bill.
Reports by Dan Obiero, Kipchumba Some and Barnabas Bii
