15 Kenyan MPs Under Pressure to Return Sh27 Million Allowance for Canceled US Trip

15 Kenyan MPs Under Pressure to Return Sh27 Million Allowance for Canceled US Trip

At least 15 Kenyan female MPs could miss their March salaries if they fail to refund over Sh27 million that they had received as per diem for a US trip that was canceled last week due to global coronavirus outbreak.

The MPs were set to travel to the US to attend the 64th UN session of the commission on the status of women in New York but the trip was canceled by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi last week due to coronavirus fears. 

As a result, Speaker Muturi directed the MPs to refund the allowances they had received ahead of the 15-day US trip that was set to run from March 7th to 22nd.

Each of the MPs received a total of Sh1,847,520 but none has refunded the money a week after the trip was canceled, according to Citizen TV.

They include Woman Representatives Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Janet Nangabo (Trans-Nzoia), Rozah Buyu (Kisumu), Wangui Ngirichi (Kirinyaga) and Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo). Others are Nominated MP Denitah Ghati, Taveta MP Naomi Shaban, and Nominated Senators Millicent Omanga, Beatrice Kwamboka and Judy Pareno.

Some of the affected MPs told Citizen TV that they are seeking alternative sources to refund the cash to Parliament’s finance office as they had already spent the allowances.

Those who fail to surrender the money will have the amount deducted from their March salaries and also risk being barred from future trips.

Comments

fanta (not verified)     Thu, 03/12/2020 @ 01:09pm

In reply to by GUEST1 (not verified)

@ guest1, yap $18,475 per diem..this per diem thing is very confusing ama ni mimi sielewi??

$18 k to come to a conference in the USA for 5 days? even one night stay hotel in the USA doesn't cost an ion of that. this corruption and waste of money is soo ingrown in the public office i don't think it will ever be eradicated..waste of money while simple mwana inchi is suffering.SMH

Mugikuyu (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 01:31pm

Almost Ksh 2M to buy Gucci bags and miniskirts to continue showing their polygomous husbands some thigh while toddler girls, teenage girls, women and our cucus continue to be raped and sexually assaulted. No push to have rape cases fully investigated in a timely manner. Mothers are giving birth at home afraid their babies will be stolen while these fat MPs sit and watch. What a huge disappointment these women in parliament have been!

Teki (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 02:45pm

The MPs shouldn’t have difficulties refunding public funds. How did they spend the money while they never traveled? Unpaid money will be subject compounded interest rates.

JustMe (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 04:31pm

I get sad...heart broken when I read such stories. What extravagance is this from s country sinking in debt and incompetence. On the one hand we are acting "catch" with corruption...while the same leaders are cleaning whatever is being by those other "faceless" leaders. Don't people fear God, don't people have hearts? Per diems at obscene rates...and what is this conferences that 15 members have to attend? Who okays these trips? These damn leaders, God avenge for us, may their families pay for these extravagances and corruption to the last drop of their blood. Hopeless!

Maxiley (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 04:38pm

This is an affront to hardworking taxpayers. We did not elect them to behave like this. For all we know,this trip could have been just avacation on tax payers back. Hardly do the attendants on returning are asked to account for the knowledge or experience acquired on these foreign trips.I refuse to assume that these Mpigs dont know that unused funds for a "specific project" that was unfulfilled should return the given funds.Not only that, certainly there has to be something in their policies that states something to that effect.So refusal,or delay is tantamount to giving the taxpayers the finger...
Now why are they refusing? First of all they are setting avery bad example.Why are they being recalcitrant,now that they have the cash in their pockets. Cash that is not theirs.These funds should have been refunded as soon as the trip had been cancelled.SHAME ON THEM. Vote them out come 2022.They have shown us who they work for- their tummies.

Mundumugo (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 04:47pm

I'm still trying to figure out that $1200+ per day number and exactly why they spent the money prior to the NY trip. Does GoK still pick up the hotel, airfare and other transport expenses. Even in NYC that would be exorbitant. No wonder Kenya is broke.

mkenya halisi (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 08:26pm

It's very simple.Dont pay them their few months salaries!Wanjinga sisi we have supposed to b on the streets demanding they resign or return the money but wr busy bin infected to support useless beba baba ikulu (bbi) nonsense.Wacha tufinywe kabisa mpaka ile siku tutapata kichwa.Wanjinga sisi we should shut up n continue bin facked mpaka the time we will elect beta leaders.

Maxiley (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 11:21pm

In reply to by mkenya halisi (not verified)

#Mkenya Halisi, yes you are right. Where are our activists? Each time we read about malfeasance,especially swindling of cash,we moan and groan,but do nothing.
I have always blamed the masses for being docile on such matters.And I fail to understand their inaction when they are the ones being screwed.
Iknow there have been faiunble attempt in the past,squashed by unruly cops,but Ihave never seem mass demonstration of discontent citizens.Some thing akin to civil disobedience.

Mzalendo (not verified)     Wed, 03/11/2020 @ 11:35pm

Only in Kenya do there get the money upfront. Everywhere else is u know ur per diem, u use ur own money and then provide receipts for reimbursement afterwards. Alternatively, they get issued with govt purchase cards which they would still need to file expense reports upon return. This bullshit of front loading the money is just corruption and utter incompetence at work.

fanta (not verified)     Thu, 03/12/2020 @ 01:15pm

Is this not the same trip then and now and forever governor sonko is accused of sponsoring the wife and daughter to this trip last year??And he is being investigated as below but am sure the same accusations will rest in peace. Kenya my motherland....when will we ever learn...the rich get richer and the poor get pooooorer....

Governor Sonko’s wife Primrose Mbuvi and daughter Saumu Mbuvi are said to have spent Sh2.4 million during the trip to New York in 2018, according to Kitusuru MCA Alvin Palapala. The two attended the UN’s 62nd Commission on Status of Women conference from March 12th to 23rd.

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