MPs Paid Over Sh650 Million For 2-Week Job

Members of Parliament (MPs) have pocketed a cool Sh650.4 million in salaries  after working for just 13 days in three months.

Minimal house business was transacted since the legislators were sworn in as sittings have been adjourned four times since September.

[caption caption="MPs during a session"][/caption]

The 349 lawmakers have each been earning Sh621,250 monthly after their salaries were slashed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) from Sh710,000 per month.The legislators also lost their Sh5 million car grant.

On August 31, the members elected Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the two houses and proceeded to adjourn.

Parliament went ahead and reconvened on September 12 for the official opening of the House by the President.

On September 13, Jubilee MPs nominated Amos Kimunya (Kipipiri), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) and Joyce Emanikor (Turkana) to the House Business Committee.

However, the National Super Alliance (NASA) refused to fill-in the three slots that were reserved for them in the committee.

The House adjourned again on September 14 and resumed on September 26 for only two days.

During this period, they appointed 12 members to the Committee on Selection and three to the chairperson’s panel then. On September 28, the House adjourned yet again and resumed on October 10.

The House sat for only two days and adjourned from October 12 to November 8, when it approved MPs Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Rehema Dida (Isiolo) and Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) to the Parliamentary Pensions Management Committee.

The legislators then adjourned to November 29 and they are also expected to adjourn this month for the long Christmas recess before resuming sittings next year.

[caption caption="The House in session"][/caption]

The functions of the Houses were disrupted by the standoff between Jubilee and NASA-allied lawmakers over the disputed presidential elections which saw opposition MPs boycott crucial sessions.