This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has sparked debate with his proposal to slash MPs' salaries, citing the need for state servants to serve without financial reward.
Speaking at the constituency NG-CDF offices on Wednesday, Dawood emphasized the importance of treating leadership as a calling, rather than an opportunity for personal gain.
“Now that Kenya is struggling with a high wage bill and residents continue to demand more development projects, my opinion is that MPs and other state servants’ salaries be reduced or even done away with altogether. They shouldn’t be paid a coin. They can earn allowances,” he said.
Dawood also praised President Uhuru for promoting peace and cohesion, while cautioning politicians against causing chaos, especially in churches.
He called for leaders who engage in church politics to be blacklisted and barred from making public addresses in churches, citing the recent incident in Murang’a as an example.
“What happened in Murang’a is not acceptable. I urged religious leaders not to give such politicians a platform to address people in church even if they attended the church for a harambee,” he said.
On a separate note, Dawood supported the expansion of the Executive to create the positions of President, Prime Minister, and their deputies, arguing that this would promote peace and prosperity by accommodating more communities in leadership.
“We want a comprehensive constitutional change. General elections are far and it’s unfortunate for someone to claim former Prime Minister Raila Odinga cannot be elected. Leaders come from God. There’s no way a Meru can be President through a presidential system,” Dawood said.
During the event, Dawood also issued Sh40 million for institutional development, including the construction of administration blocks.
