MPs get princely Sh2.4bn to hire aides

MPs in the House during a past session. An internal memo obtained by the Saturday Nation shows that the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) set aside Sh2.3 billion for offices and support staff for the 337 elected MPs from July 1. PHOTO | FILE   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The 32 nominated MPs have been allocated an extra Sh48 million to recruit three aides each — a driver, a personal assistant and a secretary.
• The Sh570,000 monthly budget for elected MPs includes Sh199,500 for expenses which excludes the millions allocated for office rentals for the 337 elected MPs.
• Senate clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye confirmed that the allocation had been approved by the Parliamentary Service Commission.

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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Parliament has allocated more than Sh2.4 billion to MPs to hire 2,360 aides and rent offices in their constituencies.

 

An internal memo obtained by the Saturday Nation shows that the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) set aside Sh2.3 billion for offices and support staff for the 337 elected MPs from July 1.

Interestingly, Sh40.4 million of the allocation will be spent on soft drinks, tea and lunch. Another Sh80.8 million will be spent on phone call expenses for the lawmakers’ assistants.

The 32 nominated MPs have been allocated an extra Sh48 million to recruit three aides each — a driver, a personal assistant and a secretary.

Their elected colleagues are allowed seven aides: A personal assistant, constituency office manager, deputy constituency office manager, office secretary, two guards and an office assistant.

Currently, elected MPs are allocated Sh390,000 each for the same services, but as from July 1 this goes up by a whopping 47.1 per cent, according to the memo signed by principal accounts controller Samuel Obudo.

The new allocations will see elected MPs get Sh570,000 a month, or Sh2.3 billion per year, up from Sh1.3 billion.

Nominated MPs will get Sh48.6 million, up from Sh34 million.

The Sh570,000 monthly budget for elected MPs includes Sh199,500 for expenses which excludes the millions allocated for office rentals for the 337 elected MPs.

The money is wired into a constituency account controlled by the MPs and their staff on a quarterly basis.

The handsome allocation appears to have been made without consulting the Salaries and Remunerations Commission despite its significant effect on the exchequer.

Senate clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye confirmed that the allocation had been approved by the Parliamentary Service Commission. He said the hiring should be done in line with regulations.

“Recruitment is governed by a legislative regime; namely the Parliamentary Service Act and Constituency Offices Regulations,” said Mr Nyegenye.

The aides will be hired on contract with the MPs supervising them, including meting out disciplinary measures.

“Disciplinary powers shall be vested on the member in consultation with the Parliamentary Service Commission,” reads a document guiding the recruitment.

In his memo dated April 2, 2014 Mr Obudo says: “The Parliamentary Service Commission during its 180th meeting on August 27 approved a 30 per cent increase in counties/constituencies office allocation of funds.”

Mr Obudo clarifies that the commission increased rental rates to Sh55,000 for offices in Nairobi, Sh42,000 for offices at county headquarters and Sh32,000 for the rest of the country.

Previously, Sh42,000 was allocated for offices in Nairobi.

However, MPs already have offices and staff at the CDF headquarters whose construction was funded by the Treasury while those in Nairobi also have space at Continental House.

Mr Nyegenye said an additional Sh600,000 is allocated to all elected MPs at the start of their term to buy furniture for their offices, gobbling up Sh202 million.

Parliament has barred MPs from renting offices they own, those belonging to their relatives or those in their homes.

Another memo issued before the July salary increments for constituency office staff were approved indicates that constituency office managers and personal assistants should earn a minimum of Sh40,000 a month while deputy managers get Sh30,000.

The memo further says the salaries of secretaries, guards and assistants should not be below the minimum wage. No maximum limit is set for all the positions.

Over and above all these lavish provisions, including the controversial MPs’ salaries, Parliament also pays the lawmakers’ bodyguards allowances over and above their salaries.

The Parliamentary Service Commission confirmed it pays between Sh24,000 to Sh35,000 monthly for the bodyguards. Officers at the Parliament Police Station also benefit from the allowance.