You are yet to be mesmerised if you thought luxurious travel and food bloggers have made it in life. This is because of the latest shocking revelation that MPs in Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities has spent at least Sh 13.6 million of taxpayers’ money in per diems alone
“This is the fourth report of the Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities on a study visit to the Parliament of India from August 6 to 14,” Ombaki Mochogu told the House.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale who has revealed they make study tours to improve services given to them by government protested at what he termed as “tabling of reports” which were never implemented.
“I have watched him (chairman) for the last few months and he has only been tabling study tour reports. I confirm that these study tours have not helped change the services and welfare of members,” said Duale.
Duale lamented that services in Parliament’s restaurant had not changed since he joined Parliament in 2007.
“The mandazis are still the same. The tea is still the same. The tea was Sh 80. The chairs are the same. They have not even changed the color and the gadgets. So, we need to discuss these reports and study tours.The committee is doing very good study tours,” Duale added regardind their cry for five star hotel services.
The MPs also want PSC to expedite implementation of the approved policy allowing MPs to enrol in a gym of their choice
He added: “These tours should translate to better services. The only thing that has changed in the 10th Parliament, and Hon Mbadi can attest to this, is that the price of tea was Sh 80 and is now Sh 100. The quality has not changed. Whatever you learn outside should be implemented.”
According to the reports regarding MPs tours:
Six MPs traveled to the UK where each received Sh 110,800 per day for five days they spent there studying how the assembly takes care of legislators.
Another six MPs flew to Northern Ireland for five days and pocketed Sh 110,800 each per day as another four-member delegation went to India where each was paid Sh 81,700 per day for nine days.
And in June, six committee members went for another bench-marking trip to New Zealand where the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has capped per diem at Sh 97,400 per day. The MPs spent seven days in New Zealand.
An Economy class return ticket to UK costs about Sh 140,000 while the same flight to India is about Sh 100,000. With flight, accommodation and other expenses factored in, the committee has spent close to Sh 30 million of the taxpayer’s money in pursuit of comfort for MPs.
Do you think financially Kenya is in a position capable of taking care of our MPs comforts and demands?