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Amid mass hunger, MPs demand pay rise

Xan Rice — © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Nairobi: As donors launch record appeals to help feed millions of Kenyans, the country's politicians have provoked outrage by demanding a huge rise in travel expenses.

MPs, whose salaries compare favourably with counterparts in Europe, are trying to force the Government to increase their mileage allowance. Last week, they blocked the national budget, which included aid to drought victims, in an attempt to force the Government's hand.

Amos Kimunya, Finance Minister, said the move was irresponsible. But the MPs have refused to back down, saying they should be compensated for higher fuel costs. They are demanding their mileage allowance be increased from £1.08 to £1.90 a mile, backdated to July 2005.

Widespread anger

Their action has caused widespread anger. Though rains have ended the drought in most areas, more than three million Kenyans need food aid and financial help to rebuild their cattle herds. Oxfam launched its biggest food crisis appeal, seeking £20 million to help feed 11 million people in east Africa. Critics say that not only are the salaries too high, they bear no relation to productivity.

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