MPs award themselves Sh1.62 billion for travel, entertainment
Initially, the Treasury had proposed an additional Sh120 million for Parliament in its submission to the Liaison Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss. However, the committee, increased the allocation more than sixfold.
At a time when Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living, unemployment and economic uncertainty, Members of Parliament have allocated themselves an additional Sh1.62 billion for travel, entertainment and other operational expenses.
Nearly half of the amount, Sh771.9 million, has been earmarked to facilitate their legislative, oversight and representation roles.
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The revised budget now stands at Sh42.58 billion.
The changes made to the supplementary budget before the National Assembly went on a 10-day recess on Thursday, comes as the Treasury struggles to raise enough revenue to meet national expenditure needs.
The National Treasury has been grappling with revenue collection challenges due to a sluggish economy that has significantly weakened household purchasing power.
Initially, the Treasury had proposed an additional Sh120 million for Parliament in its submission to the Liaison Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss. However, the committee, increased the allocation more than sixfold.
A significant portion of the National Assembly’s additional allocation, Sh651.9 million, will go towards unfunded priorities.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Joint Services, which caters to both the Senate and the National Assembly, received an additional Sh416 million. Of this, Sh216 million has been earmarked for unfunded priorities, while Sh200 million will support the construction of the 28-storey Bunge Tower.
The Senate was allocated an extra Sh343.1 million, with Sh214.5 million directed toward unfunded priorities.
The National Treasury defended the need for the second supplementary budget, arguing that it aimed to increase funding for critical sectors such as security and education while regularising expenditures that had not been approved by the National Assembly, as required by Article 223 of the Constitution.
"Since the approval of the FY 2024/25 budget, the National Treasury has received additional requests for funding to cater for emerging priorities and shortfalls under critical expenditures. Included in the FY Supplementary Estimates No. II is an additional expenditure to cater for salaries shortfall, security-related interventions, drought-related expenditures, among other emerging priorities," Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said.
In its initial proposal, the Treasury had allocated the National Assembly an additional Sh75.33 million and the Senate Sh19.53 million, while the Parliamentary Joint Services had not been granted any additional funds due to the prevailing economic constraints.
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