President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he won’t support the Parliamentary Service Bill 2018 which seeks to increase the benefits of Members of Parliament. Speaking in Kiambu County, President Kenyatta said elected leaders should focus on delivering services for constituents. “I’ll say this and some will be mad with me, that there are some things people are trying to pass in parliament…..but I’ve heard Kenyans saying they are tired with leaders seeking to increase their salaries and I say I support Kenyans in that stance,” he said, amidst cheers from residents.
The Bill which is currently in parliament, seeks to ensure MPs pocket more benefits, including house and car allowances according to the Salaries and Remuneration commission (SRC). The SRC had raised a red flag, arguing that the demands could make other government employees also seek more benefits.
President Kenyatta’s stance will throw a spanner in the works of the legislators, as he targets service delivery for Kenyans. He said leaders should be focused on serving Kenyans, “Kenyans should know they have a government that serves them and thinks about their welfare,” he stated, “Our highest priority is the welfare of Kenyans, let’s not be people who wait in our offices for Kenyans to come and knock and tell us to serve them.”