Otiende Amollo Confesses to Being Broke But Kenyans Aren't Buying It

Rarieda MP, Otiende Amollo, on Tuesday, appeared for a plenary discussion on NTV where he confessed that being a legislator had caused a strain on his wallet.

While discussing the new perks sought by MPs, the ODM politician stated that he had been in public service where he enjoyed perks, which he doesn't anymore since he took up the MP job.

"I have been the Ombudsman and I have been in public practice, I have never been broke like I am now as an MP," he stated.

He conveyed that there was an immense exaggeration in the debate for MPs' perks adding that it was unfair.

"By the time I was elected, I already had my house in Nairobi, but since I got into office, I haven't bought a house, I've hardly bought anything.

"Anything you get as an MP you use it on constituents for the first seven days you are elected," he exclaimed.

Justifying his comments, Amollo stated that MPs did not have some of the cushions enjoyed by other public servants. 

"If you take the mortgage for Ksh20 Million you can't take the car loan because the deductions on the salary are high because of the short repayment period. I'm sure there are some of my colleagues who have taken the loan and their payslip reads zero," he explained.

His comments elicited mixed reactions from a number of Kenyans online with many not convinced by his argument.

"Hahaha, it's amazing how Otiende is broke with such a payslip. How about we who earn nothing?" One user wrote.

"Amollo, it's honourable of you to quit since no one dragged you to represent them," another added.

"Nobody forced you to become an M-pig for heaven sake. Go back to being an ombudsman," a netizen quipped.

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