Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has condemned the decision by members of Parliament to increase their salaries and allowances.
According to the ODM leader, the move will set “a very bad precedent” for Kenyan workers and end up making the country unattractive for foreign investment.
“If the trend continues, the cost of doing business in this country is going to be very high,” he said on Wednesday.
“It starts with the Executive then Parliament. The moment legislators increase their salaries, tomorrow it will be teachers, doctors and nurses and Cotu asking for the same. Until when will this cycle end?” he posed.
Speaking at his Nairobi office when Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja paid him a courtesy call, Raila said MPs should lead by example and show Kenyans how the ballooning wage bill can be brought down.
“I strongly support the SRC on this matter. I don’t think there should be any compromise.”
On the Taita Taveta impasse between the governor and MCAs, Raila said the leaders should seek a fresh mandate from the people if efforts to resolve the budget stalemate fail.
“If there is no solution, then hold elections. However, before we get there, MCAs should sit with the executive and the Senate to find a solution.” 
