LIVE: Fresh protest over MPs' pay

 

 

Justices Mumbi Ngugi (left) Isaac Lenaola (centre) and David Majanja (right) when they delivered their ruling on the elections date case at the High Court, Nairobi January 13, 2012. Lady Justice Ngugi and Justice Lenaola have been appointed to hear petitions challenging the increased pay for MPs June 11, 2013. FILE

 

 

 

By AGGREY MUTAMBO

Activists are holding a demonstration in Nairobi to protest MPs' push to increase their pay

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They have pitched tent outside Parliament waving placards denouncing the legislators move to enhance their salary from the Sh532,500 set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The MPs are agitating for a pay raise that will see them earn Sh851,000 monthly.

The demonstrators, donned in T-shirts denouncing attempts by legislators to increase their pay, assembled at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park before marching to Parliament.

This is the second time the activists under the banner of the National Civil Society Congress are protesting at what they call MPs' greed at the expense of the taxpayer.

The protestors carried banners castigating MPs for their greed and insensitivity to the plight of Kenyans.

The activists who include Prof Yash Pal Ghai told journalists that they are annoyed at the total "obstruction" by MPs to devolution and implementation of the Constitution.

"Each day, MPs seem to be determined to obstruct the Constitution. Be it be the devolution budget, be it be the pay. Some of these MPs were not yet here when we fought for the Constitution, yet they want to obstruct it," Prof Ghai stated.

"We are a very poor country and any additional pay will mean the taxpayer is burdened. Already, the national debt has been increasing day by day and this is not what anyone wants."