MPs Greed: What Ksh. 8.35 billion can do

The relationship between Kenyans and their elected members of Parliament borders that of an abusive relationship. It’s a typical prime time soap opera TV program that is popular with most Kenyans.

These soaps are usually very linear, nothing out of the ordinary. The protagonist (say a woman) will live a miserable life, keeping up with an abusive partner until one day she meets Prince charming who will “open her eyes” to realize she owes the antagonist nothing and she can have a better life with the new macho guy. Sounds familiar?

In our case, MPs are the abusive partner, misusing our hard earned cash and quite extravagant with our money. Unfortunately, we haven’t met Prince charming yet who will open our eyes to see the abusive relationship we are in, otherwise we wouldn’t be constantly voting in the same culprits that have made our lives unbearable. Like the antagonist in these soaps, the MP promises heaven when they want to be voted in or taken back only to show their true colors once assured of the position.

If MPs honestly cared about Kenyans, rather than demanding payment for work they will not do in the name of breach of contract, they could have sacrificed the money as a sign of good faith and promote development projects.

Here’s what the Ksh. 3.3 billion combined with MCAs, Ksh. 5.05 billion could have done between now and the next elections

1. With only ksh. 3 billion legislatures can construct 1000 solar powered primary schools in the rural areas bridging the advantage city pupils have over rural pupils. Already Aleutia-a UK based company in conjunction with Stonehouse ltd have implemented these designs in Kiambu Kenya.

2. With only Ksh. 3 billion or less our MPs can build at least 500 solar powered market stalls. There’s no need to have shops in rural areas closing by 6pm when we can harvest solar and create a 24hour economy in the rural areas. Again, the estimates are according to the same company that’s already implementing the same.

3. With Ksh. 1 billion MPs together with MCAs can invest in local scientists and introduce biological control measures and clean Lake Victoria of the hyacinth that’s rendering the region poor.

In any case MPs and MCAs are not entitled to the Ksh. 8.35 billion. First, they knew their term will be shorter than the previous Parliament. In fact, the court had on this question in the matter of Interim Independent Commission Sup. Ct. Constitutional Application No. 2 of 2011 ruled that, “The elections come in the context of the first progressive, public-welfare-oriented, historic Constitution which embodies the people’s hopes and aspirations. Not only are these elections one of the vital processes instituted under the Constitution, but they constitute the first act of establishing a whole set of permanent governance organs.” Meaning being the first election that was introducing other new structures, the complexity of the first few elections after promulgation of the constitution had been foreseen. The question of MPs and MCAs compensation, therefore, does not arise.

Secondly, the election date set in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 was passed by all Kenyans, so is the law and cannot be changed. Thirdly, legislators must lead by example and obey the basic principles laid out in the law of the land. Will Parliamentarians arm-twist the Executive again to get their interests met over the wishes of all Kenyans? For how long will Kenyan leaders prioritize their selfish-interests’ over the publics! On the same matter on general elections, the judges concluded thus:

“Clearly, any ambivalence or uncertainty in the path of such crucial elections must, as a matter of public interest, be resolved in time: and the task of resolution rests, in the circumstances prevailing, with the Supreme Court, by its Advisory-Opinion jurisdiction.”

Posted by Mzalendo Editor on Feb. 26, 2016

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