Members of Parliament deserve a pay rise because citizens are ever asking them for handouts, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has said.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Atwoli said that legislators at different levels are forced to engage in corrupt dealings because taxpayers are ever asking them for handouts.
He insisted that the culture of dishing out money by some of the politicians has fueled massive runaway graft in the nation.
Atwoli said that there is no way the country can realise its goals as long as public funds cannot be accounted for. He also urged Kenyans not to take advantage of their economic issues to seek help from politicians.
Atwoli, who has been very vocal on matters of national interest, noted that the requests for handouts have affected different aspects of the economy.
“Unless Kenyans change their culture of converting honourable MPs into their private banks, then they are justified in their quest to demand more allowances,” he said.
Citing contributions during funerals, Atwoli further said that people have too many expectations from lawmakers.
The Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) have insisted that the country lacks funds to support MP’s salaries increment as requested by parliament.