After the August 9 General Election, lawmakers have devised a new plan that will see them receive top-of-the-line free vehicles, mortgages, and even medical coverage. After the August 9 General Election, lawmakers have devised a new plan that will see them receive top-of-the-line free vehicles, mortgages, and even medical coverage.
In their most recent attempt, they have asked the National Treasury to include an additional Ksh11.7 billion in the budget to accommodate their new demands.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee of Parliament is asking for Ksh4.2 billion in free automobiles for National Assembly members following elections. In addition, they want Ksh500 million added to their subsidized mortgage.
Legislators are also asking Ksh373 million to cover medical bills for those who fail to reclaim their seats in the elections.
They are also requesting that their aides be given a send-off package of Ksh6.6 billion.
The Senate and National Assembly currently have a combined total of 418 parliamentarians, including both speakers. They are all staffed by people who will earn retirement benefits equal to 31% of their wages.
“The Parliamentary Service Commission reported expenditure requests of Ksh65.71 billion to the Budget and Appropriation Committee.” This amounts to a Ksh27.23 billion divergence from the National Treasury’s resource ceiling of Ksh38.476 billion, according to Kanini Kega, the committee chair, in the report filed in the National Assembly.
“The committee noted that the additional proposals include one-time expenditures of Ksh11.7 billion, which are unavoidable given the expiration of the 12th Parliament.”
The parliamentarians are currently eligible for a Ksh7 million automobile loan, a Ksh5 million car grant, and a Ksh20 million mortgage.
If Kanini’s petition is approved, their automobile grant will be increased to Ksh10 million from the existing Ksh5 million.
According to the Parliamentary Pensions Act, MPs who serve for more than two consecutive terms are entitled to a monthly pension of Ksh125,000 for the rest of their life.
With the additions, they will be among the highest-paid MPs in the region. The MPs defended their push to expand their privileges by claiming that they help the majority of their constituents and conduct philanthropic initiatives that require funding.
