Former KTN investigative journalist and newly-elected Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammed Ali has sparked reactions on social media after he announced that he would not support any move to increase his salary or that of other MPs.
Ali made the announcement after Homa Bay Woman Representative-elect Gladys Wanga announced that MPs would not accept anything less what the legislators in the 11th Parliament were earning.
Through a post on his Facebook account, the former journalist stated that he does not see the purpose of salary increment without creating a framework to enable those who voted for him to create wealth first.
He wrote, “I Mohamed Ali Mohamed do not support any move to increase my salary and that of my fellow elected Members of Parliament. I have fought for equality and fairness all through my career and my first move as a Parliamentarian will not be to enrich myself. 40% of my countrymen live on an average of 10000 shillings or less.”
Kenyans on Facebook lauded Ali for his move with some asking him to present the idea in the 12th parliament.
Ali, who was vying for the Nyali Parliamentary seat as an Independent Candidate, garnered 26,798 votes against ODM's Said Abdalla Salim who got 16,473 votes.
Earlier on, Wanga had accused the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of planning to weaken the position of MPs and Senators by lowering their salaries and allowances.
"There is a mission to demean MPs and reduce them to beggars, as was the case in the 1990's when elected leaders would on Friday's go begging in government offices. We will not stand up and watch as this plan is systematically executed," Wanga stated.
Here are some of the reactions to Ali's post:
