DPA/Nairobi

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga blasted the country’s parliamentarians yesterday for awarding themselves a 9.3mn Kenyan shilling ($109,000) retirement bonus this week.
Kenyan legislators voted for the hefty package on Wednesday night. It also provides them with diplomatic passports and other luxuries in a country where more than half the population lives in poverty.
“In a nation struggling with hunger, insecurity and numerous other shortcomings, I find no words to explain or justify the proposed packages,” Odinga, a front-runner for the presidency in March 4 elections, said in a statement. “The passage of the retirement bills by parliament is an attempt by MP’s to blackmail, arm twist and even bribe the executive to have their way.”
Kenyan lawmakers already earn about $13,000 a month and are among the highest paid parliamentarians in the world.