MPs warn of disruption to Parliamentary functions after Sh3.7 billion budget cut

Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the Sh3.7 billion reduction in their budget, arguing that it will severely impact their ability to manage mileage claims and carry out essential oversight functions.

During a session with the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) expressed its opposition to the 50 per cent cut in domestic travel funds.

The supplementary Estimates 1 for 2024/2025 includes several proposed reductions such as 20 per cent cuts to communication, supplies, and services, 50 per cent reductions to domestic travel, subsistence, and transportation and 100 per cent reductions to membership fees, dues, and subscriptions to professional and trade bodies. Additionally, there are proposed 20 per cent cuts to foreign travel subsistence, 20 per cent to training expenses, 20 per cent to temporary committee expenses, and 100 per cent to various operating expenses.

The PSC warned that the reductions will hinder vital activities such as public participation, inquiries, stakeholder engagement, and fact-finding missions.

PSC officials, including Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge and PSC Secretary Jeremiah Nyegenye, urged the BAC to reconsider the extent of the cuts. They recommended reducing the budget by Sh2 billion instead of the proposed Sh3.7 billion to minimise disruption to core parliamentary functions.

“Further mileage falls under domestic travel and reducing it will imply a suspension of mileage reimbursements. The majority of committee work relies heavily on domestic travel to fulfil those responsibilities. Maintaining full funding under this line item is necessary to ensure that committees can continue to meet their obligations and serve the public effectively,” Nyegenye said.

While insisting on the impact of the reductions, Nyegenye observed that the budget which was reduced from the initial Sh44.5 billion to Sh40.86 billion saw PSC losing Sh54.6 million from Sh1.2b to Sh1.1billion, National Assembly losing Sh1.8billion from Sh26.8billion to Sh24.9 billion, senate losing Sh544.3 million from Sh8 billion to Sh7.5 billion while joint services lost Sh1.2billion from Sh8.5billion to Sh7.3 billion.

"Service delivery"

He further decried the proposed 100 per cent cut in refurbishment of buildings, vehicle purchases, office furniture, and research. Nyegenye argued that these reductions would impair the legislature's functionality and service delivery, especially amid ongoing renovations.

He stressed the importance of maintaining funding for public participation advertising, citing court decisions that have criticized Parliament for insufficient notification and engagement.

“A number of court decisions have faulted parliament for inadequate notification and sensitisation for public participation, stressing its importance. Therefore underfunding this area will compromise our democratic process and diminish the legitimacy and quality of our legislation,” Nyegenye said.

Regarding the 100 per cent cut in membership fees and subscriptions, Nyegenye warned that this could affect Kenya's international obligations and its standing with organisations such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Forum of Parliaments for International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR).

“Maintaining these memberships is important for upholding Kenya’s reputation and responsibilities on the international stage,” he said.

In addition to contesting the cuts, Njoroge and Nyegenye requested an additional Sh2.88 billion to cover critical areas, including Sh50 million for PSC, Sh30 million for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, Sh70 million for general operations, Sh550 million for constituency offices, Sh445 million for driver and security facilitation, Sh50 million for parliamentary renovations, Sh50 million for replacing continental house lifts, and Sh250 million for legislative committees.