This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On September 30, 2019, a Bill was introduced in the National Assembly that could make it difficult for the Auditor General to detect theft and misuse of funds allocated to Parliament.
The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) (No 3) Bill, 2019, proposes the creation of a parliamentary fund, which would be administered by an officer appointed by the Parliamentary Service Commission.
According to the Bill, all monies appropriated to Parliament would be deposited into the fund, and MPs would have the power to budget and spend the funds as they see fit.
The Bill also seeks to amend Article 127 of the Constitution, which establishes the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Without effective laws to monitor the fund, MPs' expenditure could escape scrutiny by oversight institutions such as the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget (CoB).
MPs' salaries would be paid on time, and they would not fail to go for numerous trips abroad, and all allowances would be paid without delay.
The proposals also mean money unspent by MPs in a particular financial year cannot be returned to Treasury for reallocation as happens with other ministries and departments.
The Bill has been met with criticism from economist Gerishon Ikiara, who said that creating a parliamentary fund would set a bad precedent for other institutions.
