Kenya legislators agree to lower pay after public outcry and protests

NAIROBI, Kenya – A government commission says Kenyan legislators have agreed to lower their salaries after public outcry and protests.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission said Wednesday they have agreed with parliament that its members will get around $75,000 and not the $120,000 a year salary that members of the previous parliament earned.

The legislators will also get a $59,000 car grant to buy a vehicle of their choice and can claim mileage.

According to a statement from the salaries commission the agreement was reached Monday.

Average income in Kenya is about $1,800 a year, which has fueled rage over the legislators' salaries.

On Tuesday, activists spilled cow blood outside parliament buildings, calling members of parliament or MPs, MPigs and branding parliament "a piggy bank."