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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30135, member: 2262"] Two Kenya senators just made it clear they never asked for bigger paychecks. John Methu from Nyandarua and Edwin Sifuna from Nairobi spoke up after news broke that government officials would pad their wallets. The Salaries Commission recently handed all 416 lawmakers a fat monthly travel bonus worth 366,011 shillings each. This extra cash adds up to 152.26 million shillings every month across Parliament, totaling 1.82 billion shillings yearly. Methu admitted the commission offered him this raise starting April 1, but he flat-out refused it. He shared on social media that he never requested more money and plans to send an official letter turning down the offer. He pushed other lawmakers to follow his example because the President already asked everyone to spend less government money. Methu believes taxpayers already carry enough burden without funding fatter paychecks for politicians. Sifuna made similar comments during a funeral service for Elvis Namenya. The deceased was the son of Dagoretti North representative Beatrice Elachi. During his speech, Sifuna put Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on the spot, asking him to set the record straight. "We have not asked for a pay raise," Sifuna stated clearly. He emphasized that the Salaries Commission works separately from Parliament. If lawmakers accept this new travel allowance, every lawmaker will benefit. Even representatives from Nairobi who barely travel any distance would receive the same fixed amount as rural politicians. The Salaries Commission apparently gave in to pressure despite earlier claims from these senators that they never pushed for more money. Many Kenyan citizens feel upset as politicians prepare to earn more during tough economic times. [/QUOTE]

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