Kenyan MPs Push for Gov't Cars, Rent-Free Houses in New Bill

Members of Parliament are pushing for increased benefits and privileges to enable them "discharge their duties effectively."

In a new bill dubbed the Parliamentary Service Bill 2018 and to be debated on Tuesday, MPs propose what they describe as better terms of service, Daily Nation reports.

Part of the bill is based on recommendations made by National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee in a report submitted last week.

The Bill proposes that all the 416 MPs and Speakers of both Senate and National Assembly be entitled to a government vehicle and a rent-free house.

MPs will also enjoy travel allowances, expanded medical insurance as well as increased constituency outreach operation if the Bill is approved.

Apart from the Sh20 million mortgage facility that each parliamentarian gets, the Bill further proposes that each MP be entitled to an official residence or house allowance as stipulated in the Employment Act.

The legislators are also pushing for government vehicles and car loans in addition to the mileage allowance and Sh7 million car grant they get.

They also want an enhanced medical insurance that will cover their extended families as well as travel allowances that will be decided based on the foreign country one is visiting.

“To enable the members discharge their responsibilities effectively and efficient functioning of parliament, these services and facilities shall be provided in such a manner and such rates as the commission may determine from time to time taking into account the rate applicable for other state officers,” the report reads in part.