Protestors Throw Cow’s Blood at Politicians in Nairobi Demanding Lower Salaries

Spanish Translation of the Week

[caption id="attachment_2221" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Demonstration against MPs demands for a salary increment and their attempts to eject members of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Photo attributed to Bwanacollins/Creative Commons[/caption]

Protestors Throw Cow's Blood at Politicians in Nairobi Demanding Lower Salaries 

"One hundred families could live on what a Member of Parliament makes each month." This is what was written on one of the countless banners that flooded the gates of the Kenyan Parliament, where hundreds of people gathered to protest a raise in wages for members of Parliament that has been granted for no reason, since it has been just three months since the general elections and the Parliament has had barely any time to pass a single law.

"Con lo que un diputado cobra al mes viven 100 familias". Esta es una de las innumerables pancartas que hoy han inundado los alrededores del Parlamento de Kenia, donde centenares de personas se han congregado para protestar por el aumento de los sueldos que los diputados se han otorgado como premio por nada, ya que solo hace tres meses que se celebraron elecciones generales y apenas han tenido tiempo para tramitar una sola ley."

This article has been translated from Spanish. Click here to read the original version on ELMUNDO.es.

In reality, the most notable thing that has been done so far the revocation of an order of the Salaries and Remunerations Commission that reduced their salaries from 851,000 schillings (about €7500) to 532,500 schillings (about €4700), not including expenses, loans, or overtime, which are paid separately.

A large cardboard pig led the march to the Upper House, located in the heart of Nairobi, and passers-by stopped to curiously admire the unique flag bearer. These people, along with a swarm of reporters, crowded around to take the best photo of the day.

"We are you're bosses, you're fired;" "Compared to you, Judas Iscariot looks like a Saint;" "If higher wages reduces corruption, why is Kenya between 139 and 174 (on the list of most corrupt countries)?" These were other banners that stood out above the sea of heads covered with the scarves and caps of the "Occupy Parliament" movement.

The protest, organized by various human rights organizations and activists like Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwnagi, proceeded quietly until the protestors reached the gates of Parliament, which were bolted shut and guarded by dozens of police.

The sounds of drums and shouting attracted the attention of the police, who went to the fences to see what was going on. Tempers began to flare, and they began to shout and curse at them.
With an indifferent attitude, members of Parliament limited themselves to taking photos of the masses with their smartphones and laughing at the comical scene- for example, when one of the protestors tried to climb the fence but was caught by two policemen.

Despite the tension, the situation did not escalate, and protestors and police maintained their positions. But the organizers of the protest, the same people who had released a herd of pigs in front of Parliament a few days prior, were prepared for a final surprise: when it seemed that the situation was over, a van appeared with its back door open, revealing boxes and bags full of cow blood.

To the surprise of the police, members of Parliament, and journalists, the protesters began to hurl the boxes and bags at the line of police, creating an enormous pool of blood that splashed everyone within 10 meters of it.

"With what they make in a month, I could live for two years," an outraged protester and economic consultant at a local firm explained to ELMUNDO.es. "We can't let these people laugh at us, but we don't have enough power."

The truth is that although this civic movement has a clear objective and a legitimate cause, it has only managed to bring together a few hundred people, which makes it difficult to put pressure on members of Parliament to change their plans.