President Uhuru Kenyatta on November 20, 2018, took aim at Members of Parliament who were backing a bill that would give legislators rent-free housing and official cars, saying public leaders should not chase comfort while citizens struggle.
The proposal covered all 416 members and the Speakers of the two Houses. It would require the state to provide official residences or a “suitable house allowance” under the Employment Act, alongside a government vehicle, broader medical cover, travel allowances and an expanded constituency outreach operation.
Speaking at the coast, Kenyatta said lawmakers needed to think about the people they represent before seeking better treatment for themselves. He asked whether leaders should not first ensure that citizens are living well before they enjoy a good life of their own.
He added in Kiswahili that a citizen who is already poor and hungry would still suffer even if a leader paid themselves a large salary, but would be angered to see MPs awarding themselves money while struggling to eat.
Kenyatta made the remarks while addressing the 1st Jumuiya Agribusiness and Blue Economy Investment Conference in Mombasa.
“Surely, with all due respect, every one of us wants to live a good life. But before we, as leaders, live a good life shouldn’t we first make sure that our people are living a good life?”
“Kwa sababu hata ingekuwa hivyo, huyo mwananchi hangekuwa na shida hata kama unajilipa shilingi milioni moja kama yeye umemtengenezea yake. Lakini sasa jameni mwananchi ni maskini hana hata ya kukula, lakini akifunguwa gazeti anaona wajumbe wamejipatia pesa,”
