But instead of being guided by the wider public interest, MPs have over the years used that power to advance their own welfare, conferring vast benefits onto themselves while showing little concern for the country’s financial health. In the latest budget, Parliament got Sh37.579 billion — double the Sh19 billion allocated to the newly expanded Legislature in 2013/2014. One would expect MPs to debate in a sober and mature way what the best legislative options are. Even after President Uhuru Kenyatta halved the proposed fuel VAT, MPs are playing to the gallery. MPs should not think only of short-term concerns, but consider the wider public interest and the need to maintain proper fiscal health.

Source: Daily Nation September 19, 2018 20:15 UTC