Senators accuse House team of bias

The Parliamentary Service Commission has come under criticism from senators for allegedly favouring MPs and ignoring the welfare of the 67 lawmakers in the new House.

The commission, tasked with taking care of the affairs of lawmakers in both the Senate and National Assembly, has been accused of focusing more on matters affecting MPs and relegating concerns by senators to the periphery.

The parliamentary body is made up of five members of the National Assembly and three from the Senate.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, who has been vocal over the matter, said the commission seemed to be promoting the welfare of some lawmakers at the expense of others.

“There seems to be an agenda by the commission’s leadership to make the Senate weak and ineffective. We will not accept this. We are tasked with a bigger constitutional mandate of protecting counties,” said Mr Murungi in a telephone interview.

The complaints come amid a renewed battle for facilities between the lawmakers from both Houses after senators moved to the refurbished old chamber within Parliament precincts two weeks ago.

KICC

They had been operating from the KICC and County Hall over the past year when the chamber was being renovated.

Senate Majority and Minority leaders, and the clerk now have their offices within Parliament Buildings.

Senators who spoke to the Nation said they were yet to get parking space within the precincts and were now parking outside Parliament. The lawmakers have also been asking for well-equipped offices in their counties but the request is yet to be considered by the commission.

PSC member Sammy Leshore yesterday defended Senate representatives in the commission, saying they had done their best to ensure members’ welfare was given enough attention.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi chairs the commission while nominated Senator Beth Mugo is the vice-chairperson.

The National Assembly has a total of 349 members.