Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa are set to take home at least Sh1 million each for the 20 days they will have sat for the ongoing Bipartisan Talks as allowances.
This is as it emerged that the whole process would cost Kenyan taxpayers at least Sh106 million. The money will be used to pay allowances to the dialogue committee, technical team plus other expenses like food, venue charges, security, printing and advertising.
According to the Daily Nation a big chunk of the money will be financed by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and a request for the funds has already been made.
“The fact that Parliament has seconded members of its secretariat to the talks team means taxpayers’ money is involved in the Bomas talks. Both the National Assembly and the Senate approved a motion legally establishing the ongoing talks,” said the Nation.
There are 10 members at the Bipartisan Talks, five from each of the two main political divides. The government’s side which is led by Ichungwa includes Senate Majority Leader Araon Cheruiyot, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, EALA MP Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga
The opposition team, led by Kalonzo includes National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi
Kalonzo and Ichungwa are earning Sh50,000 per sitting while the other members are taking home Sh40,000 per sitting.
There is also an eight-member technical team which earns Sh25,000 per sitting. This includes High Court Advocate Muthomi Thiankolu, Dr Linda Musumba, lawyer Nick Biketi, Dr Duncan Ojwang, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Dr Adams Oloo, former EALA MP Zein Abubakar and Isabel Githinji.
Also in the talks is a secretariat comprising 20 members each earning Sh15,000 per sitting.
Other costs will include Sh4.6 million which will be paid to Bomas of Kenya as the host, Sh8 million for a retreat in Naivasha, Sh1.2 million for air tickets, Sh2.4 million for advertising and Sh10 million for publishing the final document.
Kenya Kwanza politicians have on a number of occasions dismissed the talks as a waste of time and public money.
