logo

Scrap Senate, MPs travel allowances to reduce wage bill – MP

Nabwera says Senate functions can be conducted by the National Assembly

image
by MARTIN OMBIMA @OmbimaPatrick

Counties08 July 2024 - 05:19

In Summary


  • The Mp's sentiments come after the Senate proposed to scrap off bursary funds in the counties, constituencies and at the national government
  • The house proposed that the funds be channeled to the Ministry of Education for free education
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera hshares a talk with Bunyore girls Chief Principal at Ebusakami before handing over the trophy of the best school in the Constituency.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera has called for scrapping of the Senate to reduce the wage bill.

He said Senate functions can be conducted by the National Assembly, which is currently performing more functions.

Nabwera said MPs and governors play better roles when it comes to service delivery.

"MPs have a direct role to Kenyans, we issue bursaries, build health facilities and schools with CDF money," Nabwera said.

"Please tell me what do you need from the Senate or what is the Senate doing for you?"

The lawmaker spoke at Ebusakami Primary Schoo in Luanda subcounty.

He urged President William Ruto to scrap off traveling allowances for MPs, saying they were elected to serve Kenyans.

"Lawmakers who want foreign trips should fund them from their pockets of go for ambassadorial positions," Nabwera said.

"The money the MPs are being paid as travel allowance is enough to provide free medical services to all Kenyans in public hospitals."

The Mp's sentiments come after the Senate proposed to scrap off bursary funds in the counties, constituencies and at the national government.

The house proposed that the funds be channeled to the Ministry of Education for free education.

The proposal came following reports that bursaries do not reach the vulnerable majority.

Nabwera also wants the Sh40 billion allocated to the military to be slashed to Sh20 billion, arguing that the country is not at war.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said scraping off the Senate is a shortcut to kill devolution.

Hue said devolution has brought development in counties that were neglected by the national government. 

"Scrapping the Senate will give an open cheque of corruption to counties and devolution will not achieve the goals intended," Osotsi said. 

Osotsi further dismissed claims that the Senate is at war with governors stating their key role is to ensure devolution works.

"We aren't at war with Governors, our key function is to ensure governors and their administrative units within the devolved units deliver their manifesto," he said. 

Osotsi said what some of the MPs are now pushing is war of supremacy between the two houses and seeking to ground devolution. 


logo© The Star 2024. All rights reserved