MP proposes bill to scrap Senate, Nominated MP and MCA positions

Soy MP Caleb Kositany is seeking to introduce a bill that will scrap the Senate, Nominated MP and Nominated MCA positions.

In a letter addressed to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, the MP wants the positions abolished saying that his move will save taxpayers Ksh3 billion used to remunerate occupants of the positions which he has described as unnecessary.

“I would like to introduce a bill to amend the constitution to abolish the Senate and positions of Nominated members in parliament and in county assemblies,” reads part of the letter.

According to Mr. Kositany, the objective of the bill is to reduce the overall representation of the public which will see a reduction in the public wage bill and promote prudent use of public funds.

Senators earn a basic salary of Ksh740,00 while MCAs earn a basic salary of Ksh165,000 exclusive of allowances.

The country has 2526 MCAs and 67 senators.

Mr. Kositany is not the first politician to propose scrapping of specific positions in government in an attempt to reduce the pubic wage bill.

In April, Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot proposed ammendment of the constitution to reduce the number of MPs from 416 to 194.

The former presidential candidate also wanted the position of Woman Representative done away with as well.

“Kenya can’t afford 416 representatives. Our population has more pressing needs than to spend our resources on a few individuals,” Mr. Aukot said at the time.

Aukot also wanted the 47 counties be made constituencies instead of having 290 constituencies.

In similar vein, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria also wanted the Senate, the positions of nominated MCAs scrapped.

“Under the Constitution, we have 1,000 nominated slots for MCAs in the 47 counties who each pocket Sh1 million in form of salaries and other related allowances, which can easily pay school fees for 100 day school secondary students,” Kuria said while intensifying the clarion call to reduce the public wage bill.

Kuria also wanted counties reduced from the current 47 to 17.

This comes at a time President Uhuru Kenyatta is seeking to introduce an 8% VAT on petroleum products and a 15% tax on mobile services in an attempt to bridge the budget deficit ocassioned by a shortfall in collection by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

The president said that more revenue needs to be raised if the country is to meet its developmental goals.