COTU boss Francis Atwoli has delved into the heated debate of MPs awarding themselves house allowances.

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He opines that Kenyan legislators are among the poorest and Kenyans have turned them to private banks.

Speaking on Sunday at KTN's checkpoint show hosted by Sophia Wanuna, the veteran trade unionist said he fully supports the MPs increased clamour for housing allowance since Kenyans have turned them (MPs) into financial enterprises.

"Our MPs have been turned into private banks by Kenyans, some of them are poorest MPs...Our MPs are some of the poorest. If an MP gives Sh5,000 in a burial, people start to murmur," Atwoli said.

Atwoli's assertions come at a time when MPs pocketed an additional Sh250,000 house allowances which took effect this month.

Atwoli hit out at Kenyans for having a poor culture of leadership vested on the handouts.

He further added that once Kenyans do away with the culture of handouts as a guarantee for one to be elected, the country will start registering progress in terms of development and even good governance.