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Kenyans are protesting in person and on social media against demands by members of parliament (MPs) for salary hikes, arguing their wages are already too heavy for the economy to bear.
The protest, being held for the second time, has been dubbed #OccupyParliamentReloaded and is spearheaded by, among others, journalist-turned-activist Boniface Mwangi.
The protests, organised through social media, have seen hundreds of protesters outside parliament buildings and the hashtag trending on Twitter.
According to protester John Abok, the demonstrations are to show MPs the disgust by Kenyans over their increasing wage bill while the rest of the population suffers in poverty.
“The country cannot pay an individual over KSh1 million (approx. $11764) even as we rely on donor support. Before the general elections they knew when they were campaigning in the general elections,” he said.
The protest also comes days after the National Assembly clerk threw out members of the media working from parliament in what has been seen as retaliation to the media taking sides with the public.
The members of the Civil Society say they will camp in parliament until the closure of parliament proceedings with Twitter being used to pool together more demonstrators outside to the area.
Its a beautiful day to attend occupy parliament demo. Dont be a bystander today,let your voice be heard outside parliament
— BONIFACE MWANGI (@bonifacemwangi) June 11, 2013
#occupyparliament kenyans refuse 2 be hood-winked by MPs pretending to lighten the tax burden while holding thegovt at hostage @ktnkenya
— Pascal Wamugunda (@shpartan) June 11, 2013
Unlike the first protest no live pigs were brought to parliament, though artificial pigs were carried to the venue as well as fake notes and coins.
Meanwhile, the chief justice has appointed a three-month bench to hear a petition by the Law Society of Kenya demanding a stop to the pay hike.
