By: Judith Mutua
Posted on Friday, March 27, 2020
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino has pledged to donate 50 percent of his salary to help fight the Corona virus pandemic in the country. The legislator made the announcement on Wednesday barely hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that members of the executive will be taking voluntary salary cuts.
“I will donate; don’t give GK that money, instead load it to your constituents’ Mpesa accounts. It will GENUINELY HELP them during this trying times. 50% of my salary to help fight Corona-virus.” He tweeted.
Babu’s move was welcomed by many of his social media followers saying the move is a show of unity with those suffering from the virus that has so far infected more than 30 people in the country.
Pay DJ Evolve’s bill first
On 17th January 2020, Babu Owino was arrested for shooting DJ Evolve at the B Club in Nairobi. Evolve is still undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital where the bill has gone beyond 12 million shillings. The lawmaker has however repeatedly stated in public that he was committed to clearing all the medical expenses for his victim.
Not everyone however took the MP’s gesture kindly. The alleged shooting of the popular DJ featured prominently with some followers blatantly asking if he really took care of the hospital bills.
“It makes completely no sense for you to donate 50% of your salary to fight Corona-virus, and there is DJ Evolve who has unpaid bills,” one argued.
Others felt that if he were donating money for a good cause, then there would be no need for a public announcement.
“Your contribution to fighting Covid-19 is void! Make sure DJ Evolve gets the basic needs during these difficult times, Evolve needs you most,” added Jonah Macharia.
Many Kenyans did not view this as genuine other than a way of trying to get back into good books with his constituents.
Executive salary cuts
In a view to releasing more money into circulation and keeping with the tough economic times for Kenyans, president Uhuru Kenyatta announced that he and his deputy would be taking 80% pay cut. He also went on to announce voluntary pay cuts by the other senior members of the country’s leadership to help fight COVID19.
Back to Babu Owino; the gross salary (inclusive of allowances and other benefits) for an MP in Kenya is about KShs 1.59 million. If he keeps his word, then his ‘recipients’ will receive about 795K.