send off package was it necessary
With the rising cost of living and Kenyans overburdened by
the new political offices created by the new constitution, members of parliament’s
move to award themselves a kshs.9.3 million( close to ugx 288million ) is
deemed to be unacceptable. Despite the existence of a salaries and remuneration
commission, finance minister Njeru Githae went ahead and sneaked in clauses
that required the August Members take home fat send off packages that for a
common citizen, it’s like a refund of the tax the members of parliament have
paid since they were sworn in the 10th parliament in January 15th
2008. According to the finance minister the package was calculated at 31% of
MPs basic salary (kshs 200,000(UGX 6.3M)) between January 15th 2008
to the expiry of the old constitution in august 2010. Later the Mps got a boost
after the new constitution which forced them to pay taxes even on their
allowances and therefore the remainder is 31% of their gross pay of kshs.
851,000 from the day the new constitution was promulgated on 27th
August 2010 to their term expiry later on January 14th 2013.
The Government taxes up to 30% of gross salary of all
Kenyans In regardless of their position of work and MPs send off package is the
greatest joke of our entire taxation history owing to the fact that it’s like
they have put on themselves the role of the president through the back door. To
implement this impunity Kenyans will part with over kshs 2billion, Money which
could have been used to repair our damaged road networks. Money which could
have been used to upgrade the slums in kibera, money which could have been used
to facilitate electricity supply to Kenyan rural areas hence its all headed for
224 members of parliament’s pocket. Now I get the feeling of being a
’Mheshimiwa’ (honourable MP), some people put it this way, ‘mwizi wa miwa’
(sugar cane thief). When Kenyans voted in the referendum in 2010, they voted for
equitable distribution of resources, equality in terms of gender and sexual
orientation. We voted to wipe out alienation of marginalized communities,
people in terms of disability, creed and sexual affiliation. We created
institutions to bring equality in terms of remuneration of send of packages and
stripped parliament the role of them deciding what Kenyans should pay them but
gave Kenyans the role of an employer who would decide what our elected leaders
to get from our hard earned money in form of taxation.
Who gave the MPs the constitutional mandate of them sitting
in parliament to discuss their package instead of discussing impending bills
that are deemed important during this period of transition from hybrid system
of governance to presidential system as from March 18th (if there
would be no run off). On my opinion the 2 bills passed today by parliament
Amendment to the finance bill 2012 and the newly smuggled bill on to the floor
of the house, the retirement benefits (deputy president and designate state
officers) bill 2012.
President Mwai Kibaki less than a month ago had rejected the
payment of the package in the finance bill 2012 but it’s sad that this is a
dire criminals system that had guts to reintroduce the package in another bill
that sees people who are rooted to be the presidents and deputy presidents get
a send off package. So where are they going? At least for president Kibaki is
not only retiring from presidency but also from civil service, politics and as
a member of parliament. As he goes for his Othaya Home, some of the said state
officers will contesting for elective positions in the upcoming general
elections and we wonder is that the meaning of the word ‘ Retirement’.
President Kibaki was given a good deal, of course I call it
a good deal because it makes no difference between him working and not working.
The figures show how Kenyans are out of their senses. Why should you give a
president kshs 12.6 million Lump sum and also add him other benefits? At least
Baba Jimmy will get a monthly pension plan of kshs. 560,000 and a total
allowance kshs 266,000 a total of kshs
826,000 monthly for doing nothing after retirement. Currently the head of state
takes home kshs. 700,000 untaxed money as basic salary. Don’t even think of
adding the allowances owing to the fact the president lives in the state house.
What kills me most is why should my former member of
parliament (incase he looses his parliamentary seat) have one armed security
guard (of course Kenya police), a diplomatic passport for both Mps and his
wife/her husband (is it necessary?), access to VIP lounge at all airports
within Kenya( oops am almost imagining being in Kampala Uganda) and a
maintenance expense for all. I have been
to Uganda and saw what it feels to have a military president in statehouse.
Where the sovereign citizens are treated like 2nd class citizens and
the military leaders thrive through culture of impunity. Please spare me the
sight of a minister escorted by police officers; did we elect you to get that
escort? Why would a looser in an election get a VIP treatment in the airport?
As a taxpaying citizen I urged president Kibaki to reject
that finance bill and as he swore to uphold and defend the constitution of the
republic of Kenya, he should tell his MPs that Kenya has a commission for
remuneration led by Sarah Serem. I
believe president Kibaki will reject as he has rejected a similar attempt to
have his salary leveled with that of the US president.
greed indeed
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