MPs to splash millions in Mombasa retreat

Barely a month after a 60 day recess; National Assembly members will once again head down to the coastal city of Mombasa, this time round to attend an aptly named post elections seminar.

According to plans, the week-long seminar will be held Shanzu, North Coast, at the Pride Inn Paradise hotel from Monday, March 5.

National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale on Thursday afternoon announced to the members the change of the session calendar, to allow for a one week recess for the 349 lawmakers.

“Mr. Speaker, we are going on a short recess starting tomorrow and the House Business Committee has not scheduled anything for next week, we shall be in Mombasa for the retreat,” said Mr. Duale.

National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi of ODM supported the motion.

“Mr. Speaker, I support the Majority Leader on alteration of the calendar,” said the Suba MP.

If Parliament is to solely fund the 4-day retreat for the legislators, taxpayers will be forced to cough millions for the retreat scheduled to be held in some of the most luxurious and exclusive beach side hotels.

All the 349 MPs will fly to Mombasa with a return ticket costing Ksh.21,100. On air alone, the lawmakers will blow a whooping Ksh.7.3 million.

Upon landing, the MPs will flock the high end hotels with full-board booking going for approximately Ksh.18,000 a day on the lowerside. For the three days, the MPs will rake up a bill of Ksh.18.8 million in accommodation.

Just like normal House sittings, the MPs will pocket allowances that are scheduled to cost about Ksh.6.9 million.

There will be an additional 40 people; including parliamentary staff and journalists who will also be in Mombasa for the retreat at the expense of the Parliamentary Service Commission.