Senate Majority Kipchumba Murkomen has defended MPs against claims that they are unwilling to take pay cut to boost the Coronavirus kitty. 

Murkomen (pictured) claimed most MPs are swimming in loans and mortgages with some of them taking home less Sh10, 000 or nothing as salary.

“I want to be honest, most of these MPs earn as little as Sh10, 000 or nothing due to heavy loans, therefore this issue of pay cut might not be a good idea,” he said.

Speaking during a video interview with a local TV station on Tuesday night, Murkomen said like most of his colleagues, he wanted to take a pay cut, but realised his less than Sh10,000 salary will not give much.

I consulted with my employer on the pay cut subject but realised that 30 per cent of my Sh10,000 monthly salary will not help much,” said the senator.

He said contrary to Kenyan’s assumption that MPs earn hefty perks, a majority of them mostly first time MPs are getting meagre pay.

“Many Kenyans think MPs earn a lot, let me say this on their behalf, most of them take very little home,” he said.

The Senate Majority Leader said he will organise for personal donations to cushion Kenyans against the effect of the virus, adding that the donations will be more than what could have emanated from his salary.

“My salary is less than Sh10,000 and if they cut 30 of my salary will not help much, I believe my contribution could be better than my little salary,” he said.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said before talking about MPs meagre money, blue-chip companies are the ones who should give back to society.

“We want these big corporates making billions in terms of profit to give back the big profits to cushion Kenyans, not the small donations we have seen,” he said.

He said he was sent to the National Assembly to take pay cut but to make sure resources and laws are available.

MPs have been on the spot for declining to take a pay cut in solidary with Kenyans in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and the Cabinet were the first to take a pay cut before the two Speakers and the 47 governors.