Members of the Kenyan Parliament are seeking to expand the mandate of the Select Committee on Members' Services and Facilities, giving it a formal role in scrutinizing the Parliamentary Service Commission's (PSC) financial reports and accounts relating to members' services and facilities. The proposed changes, if approved, would allow the committee to examine reports and accounts of the PSC concerning services and facilities for MPs. This move aims to improve the running of Parliament by promoting efficiency and ensuring the institution functions effectively.
The committee, chaired by Laikipia West MP Stephen Wachira, has asked the National Assembly to amend Section 212B of the Standing Orders to accommodate the new oversight responsibility. In a letter to National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge, the committee proposed adding the examination of reports and accounts of the PSC concerning services and facilities for MPs to its existing duties. The MPs argue that the expanded mandate would enable them to monitor the PSC more effectively.
The PSC, established under Article 127 of the Constitution, serves as the employer of MPs and is responsible for providing the services and facilities required for Parliament to operate efficiently and effectively. The commission's responsibilities include providing facilities such as the health club at Parliament, Parliament buildings, county and constituency offices, and catering services within Parliament. The Members' Services and Facilities Committee currently receives and considers views from MPs concerning these services and facilities.
The committee also advises the PSC and reports to the House on matters related to services and facilities, giving MPs a channel through which they can raise concerns about their welfare. The proposed changes would enable the committee to examine whether proposed parliamentary buildings will adequately meet the needs and expectations of MPs. This move is expected to improve the overall working conditions for MPs.
Apart from seeking greater scrutiny of the PSC, the committee wants the rules governing its leadership to be changed. The committee has proposed that it be elected once every three years, rather than having its leaders elected annually, as currently happens. The committee argues that conducting elections during every session of the House creates unnecessary anxiety among members and makes it harder to maintain stable leadership.
The chairman of the committee, Stephen Wachira, said the current system is cumbersome because the committee has to hold elections in every session. The proposed amendments will be consolidated before being presented to the National Assembly for consideration as the 13th Parliament approaches the end of its term next year. If approved, the changes will come into force in the 14th Parliament after the 2027 General Elections.
The proposed changes have been welcomed by MPs, who see it as a way to improve the functioning of Parliament. The Select Committee on Members' Services and Facilities plays a crucial role in ensuring that MPs' needs are met, and the proposed changes are expected to enhance its effectiveness. The National Assembly will consider the proposed amendments in the coming months.
Key points
- MPs propose three-year terms for the Select Committee on Members' Services and Facilities
- The committee seeks to expand its mandate to scrutinize the Parliamentary Service Commission's financial reports
- The proposed changes aim to improve the running of Parliament by promoting efficiency and stability in the committee's leadership
