Nyali lawmaker Mohammed Ali has condemned in the strongest way possible the alleged 700 percent raise on MP’s pension.
According to reports, the raise will cost the taxpayer Sh1.7 billion between July 1, 2018, and June 2019. This marks a 700 percent increase from the Sh262 million paid out in the current financial year.
As Kenyans continue to voice their wrath over the raise, Mohammed Ali has come out as one of the first lawmakers to speak out against it.
According to the former investigative journalist, the raise is the “most callous, greedy and unconscionable move I have seen in my short time as an MP.”
According to Moha, he was not aware of the proposal by a three man ad-hoc committee.
“This[700 percent raise] was proposed by a three man ad-hoc committee, whose findings or mandate I was not aware of. Had I been, I would say to them as I state here and now: that is the most callous, greedy and unconscionable move I have seen in my short time as an MP,” stated Moha.
Noting that MP’s deserve a pension, the first time MP further vowed not to support the raise.
“I, Mohamed Ali, do not support it and will vote against the adoption of this change. We were elected to serve the public.
“Whereas, as with any other job, we deserve a pension, it must be commensurate to the work we have done and the money we earn,” added Ali.
He also rallied Kenyans to protest the move.
Read his full statement below.
“700 percent Pension is unacceptable
My attention has been drawn to an article in a local daily in which it is alleged that MPs have or are attempting to raise their pension by over 700%.
This was proposed by a three man ad-hoc committee, whose findings or mandate I was not aware of. Had I been, I would say to them as I state here and now: that is the most callous, greedy and unconscionable move I have seen in my short time as an MP.
I, Mohamed Ali, do not support it and will vote against the adoption of this change. We were elected to serve the public. Whereas, as with any other job, we deserve a pension, it must be commensurate to the work we have done and the money we earn.
An MPs pension isn’t just financial; but the ability to walk down a street in his or her constituency knowing that it is better off because of the work he or she did while in Parliament! Fellow Kenyans, you must raise your voices against this and any other move made by us Parliamentarians that is of ill motive, as I will against this move.”
