By LONAH KIBET and ALLY JAMAH
Public outrage over the dogged campaign by MPs to force a pay rise spilled over into the streets after protestors laid siege to Parliament.
Civil society activists blocked the main entrance during the “Occupy Parliament” protest called yesterday to oppose a drive for higher salaries.
MPs have rejected the Sh532,000 monthly salary — which is topped off by generous allowances — set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and have brought a motion they hope will culminate in the removal of the SRC commissioners.
The Parliamentary Service Commission has also factored higher salaries in its budget, which is due for debate in the House. It is expected to win overwhelming approval.
On Monday, the Sarah Serem-led commission ruled out a pay rise at this time citing the spiraling public sector wage bill. President Kenyatta has also told MPs to drop the demands for higher salary saying the recurrent expenditure is unsustainable.
On Tuesday, the protestors dumped a huge boar and a couple of piglets and poured gallons of animal blood outside Parliament’s gate.
The animals branded “MPigs” and dropped off a lorry, were drawn to the blood and efforts by the police to chase them away proved futile.
The pigs, though in unfamiliar territory along the busy street, quite a contrast to their pigsty, got comfortable as they licked the delicacy served on the tarmac.
Not even the subsequent commotion after police lobbed teargas canisters and sprayed protesters with water cannon could disturb their comfort.
Under a cloud of fumes, they stubbornly continued licking away.
At one point the police managed to get the animals away from Parliament’s main gate, but to the amusement of the crowd, the pigs played cat-and-mouse and managed to get back to their food.
“You can see that the pigs know where their home is,” someone shouted from the crowd to rapturous laughter.
Frustrated, police descended on the protestors and clobbered those who refused to move away from Parliament’s entrance.
Mocked police
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Soaked but unmoved, the demonstrators mocked the police, moving closer to the police lorry chanting, “More water!” Two more lorries were brought in minutes later.
At least 10 of the demonstrators, seven men and two ladies, were arrested and detained at Parliament’s police station.
Earlier, the protest started peacefully from Uhuru Park where Rev Timothy Njoya made a short prayer to “redeem Kenya from the dragons in Parliament.”
The crowds made their way from freedom corner, blocking incoming traffic at Uhuru highway roundabout and into Kenyatta Avenue.
They then turned into Moi Avenue, where they stopped at the statue of Tom Mboya as a mark of respect. They urged the MPs to emulate fallen heroes who selflessly served their country.
The protestors waved placards that read: “Bunge sio biashara, Bunge ni utumishi (Parliament is not about business but service to the people)”.
Others declared: “Pesa kama haitoshi u-resign (If you feel the salary is not enough resign) and ‘’stop biting the hand that feeds you.”
They proceeded to Parliament, which was under tight security by General Service Unit officers. There was a brief confrontation when they tried to place a banner proclaiming: “I honourable Member of Parliament, a servant of the people, hereby decline the proposed salary increment” that listed the names of all MPs, their constituency and a check box with a yes and no.
They hung one of the banners mocking Leader of Majority Adan Duale taking home a total Sh1.2 million accumulated from his basic salary and allowances.
Starehe MP Maina Kamanda was cornered as he approached Parliament and was forced out of his car to sign the petition, on which he ticked “yes.”
Laikipia West MP Stephen Karani however sped away as the crowd shouted at him.
An activist Okiya Omtata said he had filed a petition against MPs clamour for higher salaries at the High Court and the case would come up for hearing on May 24.
Those leading the crowd said that they would not allow the MPs to take more from the taxpayers struggling to support their families.
“Those who are not ready to take what SRC has proposed are not ready to serve the people and should just go home,” one shouted.
Another said the lawmakers knew how much they would earn when they campaigned for office and asking for more was an act of greed.
They said they would not relent on protests until the MPs abandoned their campaign for higher pay.
After several hours the pigs were loaded into a police lorry.
Addressing journalists in Parliament later, Ndhiwa MP Agostinho Neto said the MPs would have their way.
Neto, who opposed the motion seeking the removal of SRC commissioners, gave a pointer to a range of schemes the MPs will deploy to force a pay rise.
“Parliament is fairly strong. If it doesn’t vote for money (budget), the government cannot work. They can also deny SRC the money to function. Parliament has several options available to it to deal with SRC. I would be playing to the gallery to say that I would not support the salary increase. If I do that I will be alone,” said Neto
He added: “One thing that is going to happen and I can tell you without fear or batting an eyelid is that Parliament is going to increase salaries for MPs. That is granted. However much we want to sugarcoat it, it is going to happen.”
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