President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected an amendment of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 which would have protected Parliament from budget cuts.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi communicated the president’s decision to the house on Thursday, July 2.
President Kenyatta stated that allowing Parliament to retain unused monies at the end of every financial year would lead to wastage.
“He (the President) adds that the provision in bill may have adverse impact on the principle of separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature with regard to management of public monies,” Speaker Muturi explained.
Instead, the head of state told the house that they could create a fund and limit its use to mortgages, car loan and catering for MPs.
The house adopted the president’s recommendations which will see taxpayers foot part of the cost of the lawmakers’ catering services.
The current catering service serves MPs a five-star meal at Ksh 600.
In the 2020/21 budget Parliament was allocated Ksh37 billion for the running of its services.
The fund sponsored in the rejected bill would have been similar to one operated by the Judiciary.
“The Fund shall be used for administrative expenses of the Judiciary and such other purposes as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions of the Judiciary,” reads Article 173 of the constitution.
Each financial year, the Chief Registrar prepares estimates of expenditure for the following year and submits them to the National Assembly for approval.
Upon approval by the National Assembly, the expenditure of the Judiciary is charged on the Consolidated Fund and the funds are paid directly into the Judiciary Fund.
