Hundreds of workers attached to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators stand to reap big after they were awarded Sh2.2 billion in gratuity allowances ahead of the August polls.
According to an advisory from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), taxpayers through the constituency staffing scheme will rake out billions to watchmen, drivers, office secretaries, County workers and bodyguards working for the legislators.
In the scheme, staff working for the 68 Senators across the 47 Counties, each stand to share Sh439 Million, while staff working for the 350 MPs will share out Sh1.78 Billion.
“The (money) shall be used to cater for the one-off expenditure in the 12th Parliament,” read the statement in part.
The benefits drawn from the Sh40 Billion Parliamentary budget for the year starting July, are reportedly tied to the lawmakers' five-year tenure.
MPs themselves have been allocated Sh2.8 Billion as gratuity by the Treasury, that will see them pocket Sh6.7 Million each at the end of their term, ending August 7.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has previously protested the ballooning wage bill centred on the legislators and even proposed huge pay cuts for elected leaders during his State of the Nation Address last week.
Politicians argue they deserve the high compensation because constituents expect them to provide support.
