Shame on our MPs

The speaker of the National Assembly Francis ole Kaparo is perhaps one man who has a good idea just what our MPs are like. And he too knows that Kenyans are becoming increasingly irritated by the huge rates of pay our MPs are grabbing for themselves. Now, if the speaker is himself surprised and outraged that our legislators are just busy lavishing themselves with huge perks and allowances, then the ordinary Kenyan has every reason to worry. See Standard story
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Kenyans have gone through a lot of economic hardships.The Mps seem to be oblivious of this fact and have made self enrichment and aggrandisement their main job at parliament. These same characters traversed their constituencies in 2002 promising major changes that they failed to implement. As speaker Kaparo warned them, the public is watching. Of course the MPs will cry foul and claim that they deserve these hefty allowances. They will claim that we just don't understand the challenges they face on a day to day basis, including the enormous financial burdens that come with the post. But their outrageous pay packets can make even the CEOs of major blue chip companies squirm in their seats.

Kenya needs development and parliamentarians are supposed to be at the vanguard of efforts to achieve this. They need to ensure that all systems are in place for this and that the country gets value for money. The overtaxed citizens are increasingly rattled that the politicians have become thick skinned and don't just seem to hear any remonstrations from the public. It is my hope that the public will keep this in mind come 2007.