Battle of perks and pecking orders pits MPs against MCAs, governors

Once upon a time, Members of Parliaments were the ‘kings’ in constituencies, the only ‘waheshimiwa’ in town and the ultimate authority before the ordinary man at the grassroots. The MP drove big cars, had a couple of armed bodyguards and had the final say on matters of government in their territories.

In latter years, they created the Constituency Development Fund, that gave them power to dish out favours to their supporters and determine development paradigms.