Economy

Audit shows political offices cost taxpayers twice more under 2010 Constitution

AG

Auditor-General Edward Ouko: It costs 115 times more to keep the current crop of political leaders in office than it was under the old Constitution, a special audit report shows.. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA

The cost of keeping political leaders in office has more than doubled since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, a special audit report shows.

The audit on the economic impact of the new Constitution shows that the cost of the bicameral Parliament — the National Assembly and the Senate — rose to Sh23 billion or Sh55 million per MP in 2014/15 compared to the single chamber’s budget of Sh10.2 billion in 2011/12.

“There are concerns regarding cost implications of the expansion of Parliament from a single chamber with 222 members to a bi-cameral one with 418 members,” says Auditor-General Edward Ouko in the report commissioned two years ago.

“Put together, the cost of running a bicameral Parliament, the over-representation of Kenyans, and the exorbitant allowances paid to Kenyan MPs are contributing to the rising wage bill. The allowances alone, in some instances, tend to go beyond the basic pay,” the auditor wrote.

Mr Ouko chaired the special audit team, including Justice Linnet Ndolo, Abdiriza Nunow and Karuti Kanyinga. Others were Susan Mang’eni, Mwarapayo wa Mwachai, David Some and Elizabeth Owiti.

“In addition, there is the observation that Members of the County Assemblies also earn exorbitant wages, far more than the economy can afford”.

A number of people interviewed by the Ouko-led team felt that the Executive and Parliament have become too large and expensive to maintain.

The other cost introduced by the 2010 Constitution are independent commissions.

The audit says the taxpayer who foots the bill has been denied full benefits after corruption was devolved to counties.

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The team observes that lack of prudence in use of public resources and wastage continue to dog the new governance structure at the expense of development.

Kenya is set to elect the second crop of leaders under the new Constitution on August 8.

Mr Ouko’s team recommends that Kenya should reduce the number of MPs and MCAs without compromising national values on diversity, protection of vulnerable groups, and the marginalised, and equality regarding gender.

Allowances and benefits

Kenya’s 11th parliament consumes slightly above two per cent of the national budget compared to just 0.88 per cent of the tenth parliament.

The global average is 0.57 per cent (for countries with population of 10-50 million).

Allowances and benefits paid to MPs include accommodation and subsistence, security, mileage, medical, retirement benefits, and special duty for those with additional responsibilities.

Kenya’s parliament, both the National Assembly and the Senate, has 416 members.

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According to the report, an average of 120,000 constituents (or 100,500 if the Senate is included) are represented by an MP, a ratio that is lower than the global average of 146,000 per MP.

The audit also faults the two levels of governments for promoting corruption and failing to comply with fiscal responsibility principles.

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Editor's note:

An earlier version of this story misidentified the budget cost of the 2011/12 Parliament. It has now been corrected.