On 7th May, about five days ago, a shocking headline ran in the front pages of The Standard newspaper. The headline, “MPs raise their pension by 700 per cent” was not only shocking but also annoying. It was a direct mockery of the poor. A slap on their faces. A dance on their graves. For those who did not have the chance to purchase the Newspaper and read the article, let make it easier for you and quote the first three sentences.
“Taxpayers will pay members of Parliament Sh1.7 billion between July 1, 2018 and June 2019.This marks a 700 per cent increase from the Sh262 million paid out in the current financial year. The figure is expected to hit Sh2.7 billion by July 2020, expanding the country’s wage bill to new highs.”
Common wananchi are expected to dig deeper into their pockets to pay retired MPs .Apparently, the members of Parliament have enough time to talk about increasing pension instead of addressing the urgent matter of the lecturers’ strike which is still on-going. The unemployment rate is still high. Many urban centers are still struggling with garbage menace, blocked sewers and dry taps. Those families affected by this year’s floods are still in temporary camps .They still need food aid. Some roads in rural areas are still impassible. Many roads in urban centers are in dire need of maintenance, among many other problems facing ordinary Kenyans.
Who will save common wananchi from the greed of MPs? Since the publication of the report, no organization or individual has come out to strongly condemn this excessive broad daylight theft by our legislators. In the past, when MPs raise their salaries, many organizations and activists usually come out in large numbers to protest. Still fresh in our memories is the “M-Pigs” slogan which was started by activist and author, Boniface Mwangi and the numerous street protests that he led along Parliament road to caution MPs against depleting the government coffers. Activist Okia Omtatah has also been very active in defending the rights of the poor. We owe the two brave Kenyans a lot for their unrelenting fights for justice.
Our political leaders are a strange lot. They never back-down on their greed for more money. Despite numerous street protests by common wananchi against their greed, they still go ahead to loot and add themselves outrageous amounts of money in form of salaries, allowances and pensions. They are the people who call for press conferences to urge Kenyans to stop talking politics and instead focus on building the nation. They are the same people who cannot stop talking politics even in funerals and during church services. Should we turn to the compromised Judiciary? Should we turn to the church where news of pastors hit the headlines and not for good reasons?