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Kenyan MPs 'agree to lower salaries' | Kenyan MPs 'agree to lower salaries' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Kenya's MPs have agreed to drop their annual salary by $45,000 ($28,700) to $75,000 following a public outcry, a government-appointed body has said. | Kenya's MPs have agreed to drop their annual salary by $45,000 ($28,700) to $75,000 following a public outcry, a government-appointed body has said. |
The MPs would receive a car allowance of around $58,000, for agreeing to the cut, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) said. | |
On Tuesday, protesters in the capital, Nairobi, denounced MPs as "MPigs". | |
MPs voted for a $120,000 annual salary in May, in defiance of the wishes of the SRC and President Uhuru Kenyatta. | MPs voted for a $120,000 annual salary in May, in defiance of the wishes of the SRC and President Uhuru Kenyatta. |
'Trade-off' | |
They argued they deserved the amount because they worked hard and gave financial help to their constituents. | They argued they deserved the amount because they worked hard and gave financial help to their constituents. |
But their decision sparked national outrage as the MPs are among the highest paid in the world and the average income in Kenya is around $1,800 a year. | But their decision sparked national outrage as the MPs are among the highest paid in the world and the average income in Kenya is around $1,800 a year. |
MPs agreed to the pay cut of nearly 40% in "fruitful" talks held with them, the SRC said. | |
The 416 MPs would receive a one-off car grant of around $58,000, as it was a "more viable option" than giving each of them a chauffeur-driven car, the SRC added, AFP news agency reports. | |
The MPs would also receive hefty pension benefits, it reports. | The MPs would also receive hefty pension benefits, it reports. |
MPs in the previous parliament awarded themselves a $107,000 retirement bonus in one of the last sessions before the election. | MPs in the previous parliament awarded themselves a $107,000 retirement bonus in one of the last sessions before the election. |
The package also provided them with an armed guard, a diplomatic passport and access to airport VIP lounges. | The package also provided them with an armed guard, a diplomatic passport and access to airport VIP lounges. |
Kenya held presidential and parliamentary elections in March. | Kenya held presidential and parliamentary elections in March. |
The SRC and the president can only recommend how much MPs should earn - they cannot take a decision. | The SRC and the president can only recommend how much MPs should earn - they cannot take a decision. |
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