The Republic of Kenya has some of the best paid politicians in the world, which has further heightened the competition for elected office. Kenyans can verify for themselves that the current crop of applicants for Cabinet Secretary, many of whom identified as “hustlers” during their campaigns, are in fact extremely wealthy after extensive background checks.
When he retired from active politics and public service, former Alego Usonga MP Otieno Mak’Onyango settled at Kibiko in Kajiado County.
Here, he put up a mansion near the deep slope of Ngong where he has lived for more than a decade.
In the neighbourhood, there are other mansions spread in the lush green environment. The environment is natural and peaceful.
According to the Standard, after they caught up with the former MP at his home, he was not enjoying the beautifully manicured lawn in front of his house. Instead, Mr Mak’Onyango was resting in the house on a hot afternoon.
And as he walks towards the gate, it is evident that challenges associated with old age are taking a toll on him. He takes a moment to relive the past years when he wielded power.Some are tucked away in rural areas not because they cannot manoeuvre the urban life of Nairobi but simply because they cannot afford.
He further stated that some leaders are forced to sell their property in order to make ends meet.
“Being an MP is one of the most privileged positions under the sun. But a former MP is very different from a retired judge.
“The salary you get is not yours but the people’s … and by the time you get out of Parliament, you are worse off than when you went in. It is really frustrating,” stated Mak’Onyango.
The legislator is entitled to a pension of only Ksh8,000 pension every month.
His lamentations were corroborated by John Marimoi who served in a former Finance assistant minister in retired President Daniel Arap Moi’s government as well as Marakwet East MP between 1997 and 2002.
“Once you are out of Parliament, no one will want to employ you. I have been out for 17 years and it is terrible. You can’t do business! Everyone is just looking at you for favours yet you have nothing.
In his quest to get justice, in 2003 sued the Government for unlawful arrest and detention as well as malicious prosecution, representing himself in a 10-year case where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who they were detained together, was among the prosecution witnesses.
The formerly articulate Politician told the Standard that he survives “by the grace of God” rather than receiving treatment for his illnesses and claimed that he can not even afford food (diabetes and hypertension).
By Nairobi