Taxpayers to Spend Over Ksh2.2B in Send-Off Packages for Lawmakers

Kenyans will have to spend over two billion shillings for send-off packages for members of parliament and senators whose 5-year term ends august 9.

Each MP and Senator who have served for one term will each take home 5.8 million shillings, while those who have served more than one term will be entitled to a full pension amounting to 7.8 million shillings, according to a report from the Parliamentary Pensions Scheme.

Though the MPs and the Senators are entitled to the send-off packages, the outgoing Clerk of the National Assembly, Michael Sialai insisted that the lawmakers are not eligible to receive gratitude. The MPS have however defended the send-off packages saying they deserve it due to the nature of their work.

Out of the 416 lawmakers, only 12 have served more than one term. The 12 will each take home a sum of  7.8 million shillings as pension plus 180,000 shillings as a monthly stipend for life.

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The sendoff package comes as a boost to some lawmakers who are currently fighting to retain their seats or seeking higher positions in the government in the august polls. The lawmakers are set to adjourn sine die on Thursday to allow for those contesting to carry out campaigns in the remaining 60 days.

In February, the MPs had proposed 11.7 billion shillings for a sendoff package, including free cars and extra millions for mortgage and medical insurance payments. They petitioned the treasury to allocate 373 million shillings to cater for medical bills of MPS who will fail to win back their seat at the General Elections.

All this comes as a burden to taxpayers who are currently struggling with the high cost of living which has left many vulnerable and in need of aid.