Sh8.8bn: That’s what it will cost to pamper MPs and House staff

Legislation is an expensive affair. That is the impression one gets after looking at the Sh8.8 billion being sought by the National Assembly. This marks a Sh2 billion increase from last year’s budget of Sh6.8 billion. But the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), the House’s administrative wing, plans to use the bulk of the money to pamper MPs to make laws.

The lawmakers, plus the parliamentary staff, have set their eyes on Sh3.1 billion to cover their domestic and foreign travel, mileage claims, sitting allowances and duty for their fuel-guzzling luxury vehicles. But the staff have nothing to smile about, even with slightly more than a third the budget earmarked for the mouth-watering perks that the MPs enjoy.

Only Sh623.7 million, just 20 per cent of the allowances allocation, will go to staff perks of the 485 staff members currently in Parliament. The rest is left for MPs to take home tax-free. But even as Sh600 million is set aside to refurbish the debating chambers, another Sh70 million has been earmarked to buy a plot to construct new chambers for the MPs.

The move is aimed at increasing the sitting space to accommodate all the 222 lawmakers in the House. There is a separate Sh55 million assigned for a facelift of the three Parliament buildings - Continental House, County Hall and the main building. Nonetheless, as these buildings will be getting a facelift, Parliament has demanded Sh350 million from the Treasury to build a new office block.

For MPs to walk from their offices at Continental House to Parliament, a distance of less than 200 metres, they need a Sh61 million footbridge to protect them from being knocked down by vehicles. This is despite the fact that Parliament Lane and Harambee Avenue are rarely busy during the day when most of them trot to the House. The two roads also have a zebra crossing.

Another astounding Sh100 million has been allotted to buy a new house for the House Speaker Kenneth Marende. Household furniture and other “institutional equipment” will guzzle Sh12 million. The current residence in Nairobi’s upmarket Karen Estate is to be converted into a training institute, complete with conference facilities and hostels.

Just remodelling the existing Speaker’s residence and equipping what will now be called the National Assembly Training Institute will cost the taxpayer Sh103.4 million. Training for staff will need Sh45 million between now and next June.

A note from Mr Marende, accompanying the proposals, says it was prepared in the context of the effects of the global economic crisis and the 1.7 per cent growth rate of the local economy. “Adequate resources need to be provided to enable MPs to effectively play their role in the political pillar,” the Speaker noted.

Every week Parliament sits, an average of 2,100 rims of paper are used, so the PSC has allocated Sh15 million to cover these costs. To repair its tarnished image in the eyes of taxpaying Kenyans, Parliament has allocated Sh15 million for advertising, publicity and awareness. Free newspapers and magazines for MPs, senior staff and the National Assembly Library will take Sh15 million for the next 12 months.

A whole Sh45 million is set aside for extra payment for illnesses not covered by the MPs’ medical scheme. The personal insurance and medical cover for MPs costs a total of Sh127 million. The MPs and parliamentary staff will be smiling as they enjoy Sh500 million set aside for mortgage loans. MPs are entitled to a mortgage of Sh8 million.