Members of the National Assembly, some of the world’s highest-paid legislators, are plotting to gang up against President Uhuru Kenya and get their increased perks and allowances. The servant-leaders can muster a two-thirds majority to override his veto, or memorandum of objections. They say they can even muster a three-quarters super-majority to pass the Bill yet again if necessary.
Yesterday they delayed passage of Parliamentary Service Bill, 2018 that would expand benefits,a day after Uhuru said he will not sign it. The Bill was supposed to have been passed by yesterday before the MPs’ long Christmas recess. However, it was not listed as business to be transacted by the House yesterday.
When they finally get their way and pass the controversial Bill, MPs will award themselves enhanced travel allowances, another official vehicle, house allowance and superior medical cover for their wives and extended families.
Furthermore, the requirement for a two-thirds majority to overturn a presidential objection memorandum is expected to give MPs an easy ride in their quest for more privileges.
In the face of public backlash and rebuke from Uhuru, they are determined to defeat his memorandum. Opposition leader Raila Odinga also has objected to the bloated benefits. The lawmakers yesterday pledged to muster a super-majority to pass the bill a second time, should the head of state reject it.
If passed for the second time with a three-quarters vote, the Bill will automatically become law.
“We shall pass this Bill whether the President likes it or not. MPs have been reduced to beggars without sufficient facilitation,” Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati said.
He added, “MPs must be empowered with proper facilitation from the [Salaries and Remuneration] Commission. The Bill is a good thing for MPs because they will no longer be seeking handouts from State House,” he said. MPs want their medical cover extended to more than one wife.
The current scheme provides for Sh10 million inpatient cover per family, Sh300,000 for outpatients, Sh150,000 for maternity plus Sh75,000 for dental care. The cover caters for the MP, one spouse and four children under age 25. But that’s not enough for the servant leaders. However, National Assembly Deputy Majority leader Jimmy Angwenyi, a member of the PSC, told the Star the Bill was good for Parliament.
“The Bill seeks to ensure that MPs are well facilitated efficiently and effectively perform their duties,” the Kitutu Chache North MP said.
On Tuesday he told the House, “We forgive Uhuru and Baba [Raila] because they were misguided on this Bill. The Constitution is clear to ensure members are facilitated to effectively serve Kenyans.”
De-linking themselves from the SRC means the PSC chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi can give MPs other allowances and perks at will, without seeking authority from the salaries agency.
Already MPs wants the PSC to set aside a Sh300 million constituency monitoring kitty for them to oversight national development projects in the constituencies.
Senators have a Sh2 billion kitty to monitor and oversee counties.
“There should be proper regulations and facilitation by the PSC for us to do our oversight role,” National Assembly Minority Deputy Whip Chris Wamalwa said.
The Kiminini MP, while insisting that the Bill does not seek to diminish the SRC, said the PSC should have the mandate to manage and compensate MPs accordingly without interference.
“Public participation is provided for in the Constitution and therefore MPs must be facilitated to effective do public participation,” he told the Star.