A House committee has spent Ksh 13.6million daily on benchmarking trips to four foreign countries in search of improved food quality and other services for MPs.
Legislators in Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities spent at least Ksh 13.6 million of taxpayers' money in per diems alone.
Between March and August , the committee chaired by Ezekiel Machogu Ombaki (Nyaribari Masaba) flew its members to the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand and Northern Ireland.
The committee has a five-member secretariat that is entitled to an average of Ksh 50,000 in per diem every day while out on duty.
Six MPs travelled to the UK where each received Ksh 110,800 allowance per day for five days, other six MPs flew to Northern Ireland for five days and pocketed the same amount.
A four-member delegation went to India where each was paid Ksh 81,700 per day for nine days to learn how the assembly caters for legislators.
In June, six committee members went for a seven-day benchmarking trip to New Zealand where the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has capped per diem at Ksh 97,400 per day.
On Wednesday, Machogu tabled the fourth report of the committee amid protests from the House that they were not being implemented.
“I have watched him (Machogu) 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,” stated National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.
MPs want better catering services with a total overhaul and renovation of the August House current Kitchen, restaurant, bar, still room and members' lounge.
