Taxpayers woes may increase as Mbarire proposes two women MPs in each county

You could be forced to dig deeper into your
already battered pockets to pay extra MPs,
should the National Assembly pass a
proposal by Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire.

Mbarire is proposing that Kenyans should
elect an extra woman MP in each county
bringing their total number to 94 from the
current 47 women representatives.

The proposal, if passed, would cure the
gender rule puzzle in the upcoming general
elections. The Constitution provides that not
more than two-thirds of the members of
elective or appointive bodies should be of
the same gender.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi
yesterday confirmed the House leadership
had met the women leaders and agreed on
Mbarire’s proposal.

Currently, there are 349 members of the
National Assembly and 67 senators drawing
a gross figure of over Sh1.2 million in
salaries and other allowances not forgetting
mortgage and medical schemes they are
entitled to, plus a retinue of supporting staff
that includes bodyguards and drivers all
funded by me and you, the taxpayer.