Politics
Kenya: Protesters and civil society score big win – force legislators to take pay cut
Kenyans protesting against salary demands of their legislators. PHOTO/Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
(Reuters) – Kenyan members of parliament, among the best paid in Africa, have bowed to public anger by accepting their first pay cut – but only in exchange for a tax-free car grant, pensions and extra allowances, officials said on Wednesday.
The announcement of the reduction – to around Ksh 6.38 million (approximately US$75,000) a year from the US$120,000 members of the last parliament earned – came a day after hundreds massed outside parliament denouncing the members of parliament “MPigs”.
“Don’t like the pay? Quit,” the protesters shouted.
Analysts said the agreement was part of a compromise between the legislators and the country’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission, which sets public pay.
Kenya’s new President Uhuru Kenyatta has backed the commission, in his bid cut Kenya’s vast public sector wage bill to free up cash for investment in education, health and infrastructure.
“It’s a win-win situation for both sides,” said commission spokesman Ali Chege.
The lower US$75,000 annual basic salary was originally set by the commission before closely-fought March elections.
