•Cuts have affected payments for bodyguards and mileage allowances.
•Treasury has proposed a 50 per cent cut on parliament's domestic travel budget.
Image: FILE
MPs have protested the proposed reduction of their budget by Sh3.7 billion.
They said the budget cuts will affect key operations of the August House.
Mileage allowances, payment of bodyguards and funds for running offices have been affected.
Parliamentary Service Commission said it will not be able to facilitate the selection panel for hiring new IEBC commissioners following the cuts.
The commission told the Budget and Appropriations Committee that it has no money to facilitate what is owed to the Nelson Makanda-led selection panel.
PSC said it had spent its own money to the tune of Sh32 million to facilitate the selection panel on the promise the budget was to be provided in the supplementary estimates.
“Treasury failed to issue exchequer to the tune of Sh32 million for expenses incurred, which now will be prioritised as a first charge,” secretary Jeremiah Nyegenye, who is also clerk of the Senate, said.
He said the commission has no money to facilitate the recruitment of new IEBC commissioners.
“The commission is mandated to fully fund and facilitate the new panel, yet no budget provision has been made for this requirement. The vote will still require additional funding to execute this important mandate,” Nyegenye said.
In the first supplementary estimates for this fiscal year, Treasury has proposed a 50 per cent cut on domestic travel.
The exchequer has further sought to slash membership subscriptions by 100 per cent, foreign travel by 20 per cent and hospitality by 50 per cent.
Treasury also cut all confidential budgets by 100 per cent, maintenance of buildings by 50 per cent, with 100 per cent cuts on refurbishment of buildings, purchase of buildings, office furniture and research.
In the adjustments, the PSC lost Sh54 million, Sh1.8 million in the case of the National Assembly and Sh1.2 billion for joint services.
The Senate’s budget was slashed by Sh544 million, all totaling Sh3.7 billion.
PSC said a reduction in domestic travel will undermine Parliament’s core oversight function.
Nyegenye said committee work will be drastically affected as it relies heavily on travel for public participation.
“Mileage falls under domestic travel and reducing it will imply a suspension of mileage reimbursements,” the secretary said.
The commission which manages Parliament affairs said since they intend to prioritise pending bills, operations will be strained.
“It is important to note that all pending bills will take priority this financial year, significantly reducing the resources available for operations,” Nyegenye said.
The commission said it owes Sh225 million for the facilitation of bodyguards, Sh88 million for suppliers [including the IEBC selection panel] and Sh964 million to cater for pending bills under the development budget.
PSC said it will be unable to advertise for public participation on bills and other legislative instruments.
Nyegenye said courts have faulted Parliament for inadequate notification and sensitisation of public participation.
“Underfunding this area will compromise our democratic process and diminish the legitimacy and quality of our legislation,” he said.
County and constituency offices will not be funded as their cash is drawn from the confidential votes.
“Reduction of other operating expenses by 100 per cent will significantly affect PSC operations. It is noteworthy that constituency and county expenses fall under this economic item,” Nyegenye said.
PSC said it lacks cash for repairing sections of Parliament building that were destroyed during the June 25 invasion.
“The cutback is inopportune, given the urgent need for Parliament to undertake repairs and rehabilitation following the recent storming of its buildings.”
Nyegenye said the cuts will also affect ongoing projects including settling payments for the Bunge Tower.
Parliament said Kenya will fail its international obligations following cuts on subscriptions.
PSC has however conceded Sh1.25 billion including Sh550 million that it had intended to add to constituency offices, Sh500 million for projects and Sh75 million for county offices.
The commission told the Budget Committee that it was ready to forgo another Sh875 million which was to cater for salary upgrades.
This means Parliament staff who were anticipating and hoping for a raise will have to wait longer.
National Assembly staff at constituency offices were to get Sh310 million more while those working in county offices (Senate) were to get an additional Sh70 million.
PSC staffers at the National Assembly were to get Sh193 million in pay raises, Sh190 million for joint services and Sh112 million for those working in the Senate.
The commission wants the budget committee to effect a Sh2 billion cut from the proposed Sh3.7 billion, saying the balance will be crucial to its operations.
The Budget Committee is expected to table a report on the estimates this (Wednesday) afternoon on its recommendations on the proposed cuts.
Several committees have asked the budget team to reconsider the Treasury proposal saying the affected MDAs were not consulted.