Parliament building. The expanded bicameral Parliament will spend Sh3.8 billion on property and refurbishment of existing buildings. FILE
What you need to know:
Sh20.5bn of PSC’s Sh24.5bn budget will go towards recurrent spending.
The expanded bicameral Parliament will spend Sh3.8 billion on property and refurbishment of existing buildings to accommodate the 418 members.
The National Assembly, which is grappling with shortage of office space to provide work stations for its 349 members, has set aside Sh1.4 billion to build a 26-storey office block.
The proposed ultra-modern building will be built on a one-acre plot located between Continental House and County Hall in Nairobi. The government allocated Parliament the plot in 2000.
According to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) budget for 2013/14 tabled in Parliament last Thursday by vice-chairman Adan Keynan, Parliament has also set aside Sh800 million for the purchase of a building to accommodate legislators and staff.
PSC has also set aside Sh515 million for refurbishing leased offices at Harambee Plaza which accommodate Parliament staff.
PSC, which is chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi, tabled a Sh24.5 billion budget out of which Sh20.5 billion will go towards recurrent expenditure while Sh4 billion will be used for development.
The commission allocated Sh800 million to refurbishing Senate Chambers, offices in the main Parliament Buildings, and in County Hall building.
In the current financial year PSC provided Sh700 million for the refurbishment of the Old Chambers which will be converted to Senate Chambers. Construction of Senate offices, a restaurant, and a 250-capacity underground car park is ongoing at Parliament grounds.
The Senate is currently housed at KICC. PSC has budgeted Sh199 million to meet expenses related to leasing of office space at KICC and Harambee Plaza.
At the Karen-based Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST), the commission has set aside Sh150 million for building of offices and other physical structures.
A further Sh100 million will go towards buying land for the expansion of the centre.
Apart from leasing, building and buying of property for expansion of office space in Parliament, PSC has set aside funds for buying office furniture and equipment.
Sh35 million has been set aside for buying office furniture and equipment for new offices, Sh25 million for equipment for catering and a gym, Sh20 million for computers and related equipment, and a further Sh110 million for buying specialised equipment.
At the Senate, Sh10 million has been set aside for buying a mace – the official symbol of authority — and Sh25 million for buying cars.
Mr Muturi defended Parliament’s expansion estimates, saying that the Constitution places heavy responsibilities on the institution.
