This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
Kenya's National Assembly is set to crack down on MPs who have been pocketing millions of shillings in weekly allowances without attending committee meetings.
According to sources, more than 150 MPs, including committee chairpersons, could be affected by the purge after collecting allowances for meetings they did not attend.
On Thursday, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale revealed that he will table a report on the status of committee attendance next week to expose the lazy MPs.
The report, prepared by the House's Directorate of Committee Services, will recommend changes to standing orders to ensure that lawmakers who fail to attend three consecutive meetings without a valid explanation or written permission from the Speaker are kicked out.
Committee chairpersons are paid Sh15,000 for chairing a meeting, while vice-chairpersons pocket Sh12,000 and ordinary members take home Sh8,000 for every sitting attended.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission Kenya Gazette notice of July 7, 2017, capped committee sittings at 16 per month or four per week.
Speaker Justin Muturi warned that MPs who do not attend meetings have no business being members of those committees and should be removed.
"Those who do not attend the meetings have no business being members of those committees. They should be removed," Mr Muturi said.
