Kenya MPs desert parliament over pay rise

13 Jul, 2010

Parliamentary activity ground to a halt on 14 July after MPs failed to show up for business in support of their demand for a controversial pay rise that is opposed by most ordinary Kenyans, the Daily Nation newspaper reports. They are also threatening to block the passage of important financial legislation allowing the government to introduce new taxes and distribute the funds to various ministries and departments.

The developments came a day after parliamentary speaker Kenneth Marende banned the Radio Africa Media Group from covering house proceedings for two months after a talk show aired by Kiss FM expressed criticism of the rise.

MPs are pushing for a 25 per cent pay increase, which would take their annual earnings to about