Kenyan MPs vote for more cash

Mr Moi opposes hefty MPs salaries despite being a beneficiary

Kenyan members of parliament have voted to increase their travelling allowances by almost threefold - the latest in a succession of pay hikes.

The members increased their travelling allowances from nearly 118,000 shillings ($1,500) to 336,000 shillings ($4,300) per month.

The decision has been condemned by the Kenyan public and even by President Daniel arap Moi who also stands to benefit in his capacity as an MP for Baringo Central in Rift Valley.

Do we want a parliament that depends on hand-outs? Do we want a parliament that depends on corruption?

Mr Aringo, vice-chairman, PSC

The pay rise follows recommendations by the new Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) which deals with remuneration and administration of the National Assembly.

Public condemnation

It is the latest in a string of other lucrative rewards the Kenyan legislators have given themselves at a time when the country is steeped in harsh economic conditions.

Kenya Parliament wants MPs to be financially independent

In January this year, the parliament voted for a nearly 2.5bn shilling ($32.5m) insurance scheme covering all manner of accidents.

This was in addition to a handsome pension scheme payable at 40 years and after only one term in parliament.

The huge pay packages were not budgeted for but stand to cost the Kenyan tax payer nearly 1.5bn shillings ($19.5m) per year.

But that is not the way Kenyan MPs see it. The vice-chairman of the Commission, Mr Peter Oloo Aringo, says Kenyan parliamentarians are grossly underpaid.

"Do we want a parliament that depends on hand-outs? Do we want a parliament that depends on corruption?"

Mr Aringo says legislators must be very well remunerated if they have to effectively perform their constitutional duties and stay in touch with the needs of their constituents and those of the country at large.

"Total disregard"

The Kenyan MPs argue that their counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania are better remunerated.

"In Tanzania, MPs have offices in their constituencies as well as the capital city, they have four-wheel drive vehicles and even accomodation," Mr Aringo said.

But President Moi publicly denounced the increments saying the move showed MPs' "total disregard" to the problems facing the country.

Mr Aringo criticised the president for being "economical with the truth".

He said Mr Moi received payment as an MP, in his capacity as president and there was also " a state house vote of £30m which the President uses lavishly on his trips round the country".

MPs can hardly cope with demands from their voters

The leader of the opposition, Mwai Kibaki, equally defended the increment saying, "let us stop pretending that Kenya is too poor to pay its MPs".

Begging

MPs who have defended the size of their pay packages say this will ensure they do not go begging for funds to cater for the huge responsibilities they shoulder from their constituencies.

With nearly half of the Kenyan population living below the poverty line, many people rely on their leaders other than the government for even the most basic needs.

MPs are faced with a myriad demands ranging from contributions for school fees, medical costs, funeral expenses and other community-based projects.

It remains unclear how the treasury will accomodate the MPs' salaries when similar demands made by public servants who live on meagre salaries have been shelved due to financial considerations.