Relief as cash crunch in parliament ends

The cash crunch facing the National Assembly resulting from delayed disbursement of salaries and allowances to members of parliament and staff is no more.

This is according to House Speaker Justin Muturi who says funds have already been released to accounts of MPs and parliamentary staff.

Parliament had experienced shortage of cash crisis that had seen electricity and water recently disconnected.

On Wednesday, MPs expressed their frustration on the floor over the fact that they and other parliamentary staff have not yet been paid.

The lack of funds to facilitate even the most basic of services within parliament elicited angry reactions by members in the August House.

The Parliamentary Service Commission was divided over the issue with is chair Aden Keynan saying treasury was to blame for the mess as it had failed to disburse funds for the different committees.

It was on the floor of the house that Members of parliament let out their pent up frustrations.

“I could not even go to toilet because the toilet was closed there was no water,” said Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa.

“Power was disconnected from Friday to Monday, this it has never happened. Power was reconnected in Parliament buildings but only after the intervention of head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua,” said keynan.

“Should we sit in this chamber to talk about power? Why would we wait for a bill of Ksh10million before paying?” posed Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbaarire.

“There is no money and there is nothing committee members can do,” stated Keynan.

“Don’t tell us you have no money you have been receiving money. What are you telling us?” retorted Mbaarire.

The members also alleged that workers in parliament have gone months without pay.

“Workers haven’t been paid for nine months, how is that person to survive, pay rent?” said Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tongi.

“We use structures like budget and finance committees because it means there is problem with cash flow,’ noted Suba MP John Mbadi. “We need to understand why the government is taking too much overdraft from the Central bank of Kenya.”