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.

What are our MPs thinking of?

There seems to be something seriously wrong with our current crop of MPs. They have totally lost the plot and seem to be oblivious of this fact. What on earth are they planning to do with all that money they have alloted themselves in the name of new increased mileage rates? And how on earth do they justify their decision to increase the funds available to their constituency development funds? These are people who only traverse the country for the sake of their parties' politics and not in the interest of development.

The sad thing is these legislators have been elected by people of sound mind. People like me and you. They promised mountains and delivered rubble. Like them or hate them, they are here to stay,at least until the next polls. Even if they are voted out, the next bunch that comes in will certainly not be any better if past experience is anything to go by.

But that should not stop the populace from voting them out. They should be kicked out. They have even brazenly gone ahead to increase their constituency development fund kitties without even batting an eyelid. The MPs it seems, cannot see beyond their paunches.