MPs: Why burden taxpayers more?

When the Parliamentary Select Committee submitted its recommendations to the Committee of Experts, there was consensus that it had done a fairly decent job.

The team surprised everyone by the fact that the members were able to cast aside partisan party and regional interests to work for a common cause.

Even so, there are some recommendations that must be reviewed. Key among them is the proposal on the Legislature. The proposal to have two chambers, the Lower House and the Upper House have serious financial implications for the economy.

As we reported yesterday, Kenyans will have to pay at least Sh342 million for the upkeep of the additional 190 MPs, who will include 80 representatives of new constituencies, 47 women MPs and 63 Senators.

Not only will the additional constituencies and special seats translate to higher wage bill, they will also mean extra expenses such as increased budgets for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other devolved funds.

Right away, the taxpayers will have to provide funds for a new chamber or renovation of the existing ones, plus new offices. These are not small costs.

In recent years, Parliament has earned the dubious distinction of being the house of a spoilt lot – people who decide their pay and whether they should be taxed or not.

In contrast, the rest of Kenyans who pay tax labour under the burden of rising inflation and decreased earnings.

The creation of new constituencies is a valid proposal, but the figure of 80 is extreme. There is no evidence to suggest that the more the MPs the better the representation. In fact, the converse could be true.

Several groups and personalities have vouched for a leaner Legislature, and with good reason. The experts need to examine these views with an eye on the prevailing economic conditions.

The point is that the economy cannot sustain an inordinately large number of MPs. Let’s reduce the figure to a reasonable level.