Octopizzo slams greedy MPs over controversial Ksh366,011 salary increment
Hip-hop artist Henry Ohanga, popularly known as Octopizzo, has taken a firm stance against Kenya’s lawmakers, criticizing them for approving a controversial salary increment while ordinary citizens struggle through economic turmoil.
In a fiery post on X on Monday, March 31, 2025, Octopizzo questioned how Members of Parliament and senators managed to secure an additional Ksh366,011 in fixed mileage allowances per month, bringing their total gross earnings to over Ksh1.1 million.
“When was this bill approving the MPs’ salary increase passed? Who in their right mind advises this government?” the rapper wrote, expressing outrage at the decision.
“While young people fresh from university and technical institutions are jobless, and our healthcare system is in shambles, MPs will start receiving an additional Ksh366,000 per month as a fixed mileage allowance starting April 1, 2025. This is on top of their already bloated Ksh739,600 gross salary, costing taxpayers an extra Ksh4.4 billion,” he added.
The backlash follows reports on March 28, 2025, that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had approved the new allowance for all 416 MPs and senators. The increase amounts to Ksh152.26 million per month or Ksh1.82 billion annually.
Octopizzo further speculated on the motive behind the salary hike, questioning whether it was a strategy by the government to secure lawmakers’ loyalty.
“Is this about the regime buying their loyalty to avoid impeachment, or is it just the usual shameless greed of Kenyan politicians? Kwani nu signs gani hawaezi read, watu inafaa wapunguzuziwe tunawaongeza then tunaenda kuchukua another loan! Like wtf,” he lamented.
Lawmakers distance themselves from pay hike
Despite the public outcry, some legislators have distanced themselves from the salary increment, arguing that they never requested it and rejecting the additional allowance.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka strongly opposed the increase, stating that MPs’ salaries should not be a priority given Kenya’s current economic struggles.
“We NEVER asked for any salary increment. Let that money be channeled to the needy children of this country who are not able to access education. An additional Ksh360,000 to my payslip as a senator cannot be a priority when we are grappling with such tough and unbearable economic times as a country!” Onyonka wrote on X on Saturday March 29, 2025.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed similar sentiments while attending the burial of Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi’s son, Elvis Namenya, on Saturday.
He called on National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to clarify the reports, denying that MPs had lobbied for the increase.
“I want you (Speaker Moses Wetang’ula) to confirm whether no Member of Parliament has requested a salary hike; we have not asked for a pay rise. So, on such matters, we hope you will clear them. Kazi ya SRC ni tofauti na kazi ya Bunge,” Sifuna said.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu also acknowledged the pay hike but publicly rejected it, insisting that it was unwarranted.
“I Never Asked for a Pay Rise. I urge other members of the Senate and National Assembly to reject the increase considering the President’s call to reduce government expenditure. Such an increase is untimely and will just end up overburdening the taxpayers,” Methu posted on social media on Saturday.
As discontent over the pay hike grows, calls for accountability and fiscal responsibility continue to mount, with critics like Octopizzo leading the charge in condemning what they see as political greed at the expense of struggling Kenyans.
Author
Martin Oduor
The alchemist of literary works - a master wordsmith with a proven record of transforming the raw materials of language into a rich tapestry of emotion, thought, and imagination.
View all posts by Martin Oduor
