Protests as Kenyan MPs vote themselves hefty bonuses

NAIROBI (AFP) - Demonstrators marched in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday after lawmakers voted themselves a S$136,000 sendoff bonus, with tax hikes expected to pay for it.

The proposed lucrative pay off - at a cost to the country of S$30 million - comes after Kenya's parliament dismissed the majority of wage demands of striking public sector workers, including doctors and teachers.

A worker earning the national minimum wage would have to work for 61 years in order to earn the amount the MPs have voted to pay themselves.

"It is totally ridiculous for the MPs to award themselves such an amount of money," said Morris Odhiambo, who helped organise the demonstration.