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Anger as Kenya MPs get huge bonus Anger as Kenya MPs get huge bonus
(10 minutes later)
Kenyan MPs have voted to award themselves a $22,000 bonus each at the end of their five-year term in December despite a wave of public condemnation.Kenyan MPs have voted to award themselves a $22,000 bonus each at the end of their five-year term in December despite a wave of public condemnation.
The MPs also barred the investigation of corruption cases which occurred before 2004.The MPs also barred the investigation of corruption cases which occurred before 2004.
The move has been condemned by lawyers and human rights activists who say it is "highly immoral".The move has been condemned by lawyers and human rights activists who say it is "highly immoral".
In July, human rights groups demonstrated in the capital against the proposal to award MPs hefty bonuses.In July, human rights groups demonstrated in the capital against the proposal to award MPs hefty bonuses.
Kenya's MPs already earn more than $10,000 a month in salaries and expenses, much of which is tax-free, in a country where most people live on less than $1 a day. Kenya's 222 MPs already earn more than $10,000 a month in salaries and expenses, much of which is tax-free, in a country where most people live on less than $1 a day.
Many Kenyans see MPs as lazy and self-interested, who often skip parliamentary sessions unless it concerns a pay rise for themselves.Many Kenyans see MPs as lazy and self-interested, who often skip parliamentary sessions unless it concerns a pay rise for themselves.
MPs had originally wanted a bonus of $98,000 each but the finance minister said the country could not afford this.MPs had originally wanted a bonus of $98,000 each but the finance minister said the country could not afford this.
Government setbackGovernment setback
The move to pardon corruption cases which happened before 2004 effectively stops any investigations or attempts to recover funds looted in the multi-million dollar Goldenberg and Anglo-Leasing scandals.The move to pardon corruption cases which happened before 2004 effectively stops any investigations or attempts to recover funds looted in the multi-million dollar Goldenberg and Anglo-Leasing scandals.
This being seen as a setback for the government, which had asked MPs to pass a bill giving the anti-corruption body unlimited time to probe and recover looted assets. This is being seen as a setback for the government, which had asked MPs to pass a bill giving the anti-corruption body unlimited time to probe and recover looted assets.
President Mwai Kibaki was elected in 2002 on a pledge to tackle corruption, which had been a huge problem under his predecessor, Daniel arap Moi. The Narc coalition which won the 2002 elections has fractured and no longer has a majority in parliament.
President Mwai Kibaki was elected on a pledge to tackle corruption, which had been a huge problem under his predecessor, Daniel arap Moi.
But donors say little progress has been made.But donors say little progress has been made.
Mr Moi last month announced he was backing Mr Kibaki's campaign to seek re-election.Mr Moi last month announced he was backing Mr Kibaki's campaign to seek re-election.
A few days later, the government dismissed as "not credible" a leaked report, which accused Mr Moi and his associate of stealing as much as $2bn from the tax-payer.A few days later, the government dismissed as "not credible" a leaked report, which accused Mr Moi and his associate of stealing as much as $2bn from the tax-payer.
The report was given to the government in 2004 but never published.The report was given to the government in 2004 but never published.