President Uhuru Kenyatta on 20 November 2018 sharply criticised MPs for pushing for more benefits at a time when many Kenyans were struggling, accusing them of putting personal comfort ahead of public service.
Speaking at the Jumuiya Agribusiness and Blue Economy Investment Conference in Mombasa on Monday, Uhuru said he was surprised that lawmakers were focused on themselves while the country faced economic pressure. He said leaders should be thinking about improving the lives of ordinary people rather than expanding their own perks.
The row came after MPs renewed demands for a package that would include a rent-free house, a government vehicle, expanded medical cover and travel allowances. Uhuru linked that push to the wider public anger over the cost of running government.
“Kenyans are suffering yet when they read the newspaper, they find the MPs pushing for more money. I don't want to fight with anyone, but these are things we need to talk about.”
He also turned his fire on MCAs, saying they were seeking large allowances for very little time spent in the assembly. “An MCA is paid Sh20,000 sitting allowances for the 30 minutes he spends in the assembly,” he said.
The President argued that while everyone wants a better life, public officials should first make sure citizens are comfortable. His remarks came amid continuing concern over Kenya’s bloated wage bill.
Parliament was also expected to vote on the Two-Thirds Gender Bill on Tuesday, a measure that would cost taxpayers an additional Sh500 million to implement. The issue had already drawn attention to the strain on public finances, with related reporting in 2017 and 2018 highlighting the cost of parliamentary perks and the pressure on the Treasury.
See: Kenyan MPs want five-star caterers, masseurs and new cars
Also read: MPs in mad rush for free Sh5m cars
Related: Kenya to incur Sh500m every year to implement gender rule
