Overpaid and over there - corrupt Kenyan MP's seek bonuses

Kenya, hardly a glaring example of a First world country, is to pay its already well paid MP's $115,000 each when their term ends in December - or should I really say they decided to pay themselves that sum.

This bonus is on top of the $180,000 they get in salaries.

This makes them among the best paid politicians in the world, much higher than back benchers in NZ, and almost as high as cabinet ministers.

Nearly half of Kenyans live below the poverty line; even essential workers such as teachers and nurses are poorly paid there.

This severance pay for 222 MP's will amount to $26 million dollars, or $170,000 each.

These payments were hidden in a miscellaneous bill sneaked through their parliament last week.

However, the absence of their attorney- general preventedit going to a vote. No doubt they will find some "legitimate" way to authorise the payments.