Taxpayers face Sh1.1bn bill for MPs TV channel

Taxpayers will fork out more than Sh1.1 billion that is needed to establish a fully fledged parliamentary broadcasting channel, a new report shows.

Additionally, it will cost taxpayers Sh300 million annually or Sh25 million monthly to run the channel if the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), the MPs employer, approves the establishment of the TV channel.

The 24-hour digital Signet Bunge TV Channel will broadcast all proceedings and events of the Senate and the National Assembly.

The TV station would add to Parliament’s budget that includes a monthly salary to each MP that breach the Sh1 million mark, and a Sh5 million car grant.

Parliament will immediately require Sh524.6 million to implement the first phase of the project and a further Sh600 million for the second phase for purchase of equipment for TV channel.

A report by the National Assembly’s Broadcasting and Library Committee indicates the first phase will see an upgrade of the current contract with the State broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), to include coverage of committee meetings.

KBC, which currently broadcasts live parliamentary proceedings, will provide technical support, equipment and production staff in the first phase.

“The long-term implementation of the broadcasting programme will mean that Parliament will fully provide personnel and equipment to produce and broadcast Parliament content,” Justus Kizito, who chairs the Broadcasting committee, said in the report.

“It is important to note that an additional cost of Sh25 million will be incurred on a monthly basis to cater for additional services to complement the services being offered in the existing contractual obligation.”

Many Kenyans view members of Parliament as symbols of a greedy political culture, seeking public office as an opportunity for personal gain at the expense of a country mired in poverty and where the unemployment rate stands at 40 percent.

The committee said the cost of implementing the first phase will be Sh249.8 million in the first year, Sh247.4 million in the second year as well as third year, Sh2 million for purchase of fibre cables and Sh25 million to cater for additional services to complement KBC offerings, bringing the total cost to Sh524.2 million.

Under the second phase, the committee projects a one-off cost amounting to Sh382.3 million for equipment purchase and additional recurrent expenses that include the costs of day-to-day operations of Sh211.48 million, pushing the total cost to Sh600 million.

“It is important to note that prices change depending on market costs at the point and time of purchase,” Mr Kizito said in the report.

The committee said the production and technical staff required to actualise the implementation of the Parliament television channels will be 43.