As Kenya’s Parliament prepares for the upcoming State of the Nation Address on Thursday, November 20, 2025, hip-hop artist Henry Ohanga, popularly known as Octopizzo, has reignited discussions on social media about the role of Members of Parliament in governance.
In a post on X on Wednesday, November 19, Octopizzo emphasized the distinction between charity and governance. “An MP’s mandate is not to feed people directly. That’s charity, not governance,” he stated.
He elaborated, highlighting that lawmakers should focus on building sustainable livelihoods, creating opportunities for communities, and ensuring that systemic failures do not leave families in hunger. “The goal of an MP is to help the community build sustainable livelihoods, create their own opportunities, and ensure no family goes hungry because systems failed them,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing public demand for accountability, meaningful policies, and long-term development strategies, as musicians and content creators continue to criticize MPs for weak oversight and laws that fail to serve citizens’ interests.
This is not the first time Octopizzo has voiced concerns about parliamentary conduct. On March 31, 2025, he questioned how MPs and senators secured an additional Ksh366,011 in fixed mileage allowances per month, raising their total gross earnings to over Ksh1.1 million.
“While young people fresh from university and technical institutions are jobless, and our healthcare system is in shambles, MPs will start receiving an additional Ksh366,000 per month as a fixed mileage allowance starting April 1, 2025. This is on top of their already bloated Ksh739,600 gross salary, costing taxpayers an extra Ksh4.4 billion,” he wrote, expressing outrage over the decision.
The new allowance, approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission on March 28, 2025, affects all 416 MPs and senators, translating to Ksh152.26 million monthly or Ksh1.82 billion annually.
Octopizzo also questioned the intent behind the salary increase, asking whether it was a tactic to secure loyalty among lawmakers or simply an example of political greed. “Is this about the regime buying their loyalty to avoid impeachment, or is it just the usual shameless greed of Kenyan politicians? Why increase allowances while ordinary citizens struggle?” he asked.
His comments have sparked widespread debate online, as Kenyans continue to call for responsible leadership, transparent governance, and policies that address systemic challenges rather than short-term handouts.
