Parliament seeks Sh18 billion for two-chamber plan

Parliament will spend Sh18.1 billion in the next financial year with a recurrent expenditure of Sh13.9 billion as the Budget caters for the 68-member Senate.

Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has budgeted Sh4.2 billion for development.

The House will spend Sh1.2 billion to conclude the purchase of the 11 storey Protection House along Parliament Road from the Ministry of Housing.

Another Sh700 million has been set aside for the purchase of a building within the envisaged Parliamentary Square, Sh500 million for construction of an office block on a plot next to St John Ambulance House, Sh400 million for refurbishment of leased offices at Harambee Plaza and Sh700 million for the upgrade of the Senate Chambers (Old Chamber) and offices.

PSC vice-chairman Adan Keynan tabled the 2012/13 budget days after MPs increased their gratuity to Sh3.7 million each up from Sh1.5 million when their term expires on January 14, 2013.

MPs, through an amendment introduced to the Finance Bill 2011 moved by Finance minister Njeru Githae will take home a cumulative figure of Sh833 million.

Mr Githae amended the Bill to accord the Deputy Speaker Sh1.4 million each year, members of the Speaker’s Panel and 10 PSC commissioners Sh1.2 million annually as responsibility allowances.

This was backdated to 2008 for the Deputy Speaker and 2006 for members of the Panel.

Salaries

Under section 127 (6C) of the Constitution, the Commission is responsible for the preparation of Parliament’s annual estimates of expenditure and submit them to Parliament for approval.

Like Parliament, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has also been given constitutional mandate to prepare and submit through the Justice minister its annual estimates in line with the separation of powers.

Out of the Sh13.9 billion recurrent expenditure, the National Assembly will spend Sh9.17 billion up from Sh9.13 billion in the 2011/12 financial year. It is projected that the budget will go to Sh9.38 billion in 2013/14 and Sh8.86 in 2014/15.

The Senate will spend Sh1.7 billion in the coming financial year in recurrent expenditure which is projected to hit Sh2.7 billion in 2013/14 and Sh2.5 billion in 2014/15.

Joint Services between the two chambers will cost Sh3 billion in the coming year and Sh4.6 and Sh4.1 billion in the next two financial years in that order.

Salaries and allowances for members of the National Assembly and the Senate as well as staff will consume Sh6.3 billion. Members’ car grants and car loan and mortgage will take up Sh1.36 billion and Sh0.9 billion respectively.

Of the Sh4.2 billion development cash, the PSC says the bicameral House will, among other expenditures, create the Senate offices, more offices for members and staff.

The National Assembly, whose debating chamber is under a Sh960 million refurbishment, has not been allocated development funds for the coming three financial years. This financial year, it was allocated Sh1.02 billion.

The Senate, has been given Sh925 million up from Sh580 million allocated in 2011/12 financial year for development.

Speaker’s house

Joint Services between the two Houses will get Sh2.93 billion in the coming Budget and Sh2.9 billion and Sh2.7 billion in the years 2013/14 and 2014/15 respectively.

In the House estimates, the PSC says resources have been allocated for structural and administrative changes to the parliamentary service.

The 350 MPs in the National Assembly have been allocated Sh541 million in basic salaries and Sh2.4 billion for personal allowances.
Committee services will take Sh405 million for domestic and foreign travels and hospitality.

The Speaker of the Senate will have a new house worth Sh150 million and Sh45 million for purchase of official vehicles for the Senate.
Constituency offices have been allocated Sh1.1 billion for wages and operating expenses while the county offices will take Sh115 million.

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