United they stand in greed!

      United they stand in Greed!

The 11^th Parliament that was just sworn in about 76 days ago, has proven that the way to go in fighting for ones rights is through strike. This has indeed opened a chapter for the Kenyan workers who will have to follow suit so as to ensure they are granted their wishes. Apparently, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission that is headed by Sarah Serem, had reduced the MP’s salaries from a basic payment of about 800,000 to a basic payment of about 500,000. However, the Member of Parliaments’ who were divided over the elections’ period have proved to the electorates that they were just of divided opinions. This has been evident as they unanimously passed a bill in parliament to ensure they are granted a salary increase.

It is however sad to note that those we elected to office, now claim that they need an increase yet they were made aware of the salary changes even before the campaigns kicked off. As a matter of fact, one should be paid after work but however, our MPs’ began to demand a salary hike on the first day just after taking oath of office.

It is a betrayal to the electorates since the same people they elected as their representatives haven’t done any duty and have even threatened not to pass any bill in parliament till their cry is heard. This evidently saw the citizens and the civil rights protest outside the Parliament buildings with pigs bearing some of the MPs’ names. The outcry by the two groups was due to the high taxes that will be levied so as to get salaries for the leaders yet other citizens earn as low as less that 1000 per month. Truly, our MPs are MPigs’. 

Funny enough, the MPs’ who form the Legislature have a duty to make laws and however, the same go against these laws. The constitution provides for independent institutions and respect for all the institutions but however the Legislature has proved that they do not respect the other independent institutions and commissions set by the law. 

It is however important to note that the MPs’ who passed the bill in parliament to have their salary increased, have assumed that the President has the final say on the bill and may not give it a nod. President Uhuru has however told them off and asked whoever is not ready to accept the salary to walk out of office and a by-election conducted. He asked them to follow the correct path and engage the Commission in talks. On the other hand, Sarah Serem has also said she is ready to engage in any talks with the Members of Parliament but however will not be easily swayed in carrying out her constitutional mandate.