This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
On September 17, 2019, North Imenti legislator Rahim Dawood sparked a debate by calling for the abolition of salaries for elected leaders, stating that they should serve the public voluntarily.
Speaking at the local NG-CDF offices in North Imenti, Mr. Dawood emphasized that elected leaders should not seek personal gain from their positions. He cited his own experience as a councillor, where he donated his entire salary to the poor.
Mr. Dawood suggested that elected leaders be given some allowances to cover expenses while on duty, but he emphasized that they should not enrich themselves. He noted that they spend very few hours in Parliament and that many even make technical appearances.
“We spend very few hours in Parliament and others even make technical appearances. All elected leaders should be servants of the people and not seek to enrich themselves,” said Mr. Dawood.
Mr. Dawood also commended the Catholic Church in Murang’a for banning harambees, which he believed would help restrain politicians from using places of worship for political supremacy battles.
Furthermore, he hailed DCI George Kinoti and DPP Noordin Haji for their efforts in cracking down on corruption, urging those opposed to their mode of operation to stop their criticism.
