This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Published on July 9, 2019, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has rejected the proposed night allowance for Members of Parliament, terming it unjustifiable.
According to a letter addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kuria stated that there is nothing that warrants the payment of the allowance for MPs who are on official Parliamentary Business in Nairobi.
“I find this allowance not justifiable at all costs. I reside in my house in Nairobi and cannot justify to my family why the taxpayer has to pay me to be away from them,” Kuria noted in his letter.
He further directed the National Assembly to channel the money to Gatundu District Hospital should the bill be signed, stating: “I direct that if the payment has to be made, Parliament to transfer the same to Gatundu District Hospital for the remainder of my term in 12th Parliament.”
On the other hand, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi defended the proposed night allowance, arguing that it will boost the morale of MPs and solve quorum hitches in the House.
Legislators had hurriedly passed the Parliamentary Service Bill last week, entitling them to a raft of allowances including a Sh250,000 house allowance and Sh18,000-Sh24,000-night allowance.
