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MPs must tighten their belts to show they care

<ul> <li>It's a small price to pay in a country where an entire budget has been rejected, and citizens struggle to make ends meet.</li> <li>MPs must show they understand and appreciate the challenges citizens face and make adjustments accordingly</li> </ul>

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by JOSEPH OLWENY

Opinion24 July 2024 - 03:00

In Summary


  • It's a small price to pay in a country where an entire budget has been rejected, and citizens struggle to make ends meet.
  • MPs must show they understand and appreciate the challenges citizens face and make adjustments accordingly
MPs during a session in Parliament.

Members of Parliament are, without doubt, some of the most pampered legislators in the developing world.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that they are livid, protesting a Sh3.7 billion budget cut which they claim will cripple their operations.

Much of the targeted mileage and bodyguard money is a small price to pay in a country where an entire budget for 2024-25 has only recently been rejected by President William Ruto, following protests.

These are the very MPs who, just four weeks ago, had to hide inside ambulances and wear masks to hide their identities from a large group of Gen Z demonstrators baying for their blood.

The entire nation is virtually at a standstill on account of the reckless decisions made by the same MPs who would rather everybody else slept hungry than sacrifice their fancy, well-fed bodyguards.

These MPs must have learnt that the budgets of the First Lady and Deputy President's spouse have been slashed because the belt-tightening measures are not meant only for the hapless poor citizens.

MPs must show they understand and appreciate the challenges citizens face and make adjustments accordingly.

They must be grateful that their plum perks remain intact. Asking them to surrender bodyguards and mileage allowances is a sacrifice they should readily accept.

Quote of the Day: "An ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction."

Simón Bolivar

The Venezuelan political and military leader, who freed six Latin American republics from Spanish rule, was born on July 24, 1783


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