– OCTOBER 7, 2011
By EDWIN MUTAI in Nairobi County October 7, 2011
Party of National Unity (PNU) has rubbished an attempt by a section of MPs to move a motion seeing to disband the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) on grounds of nepotism and ineptitude.
PNU Secretary General Kiraitu Murungi said the attempt to remove the 10 member PSC is unconstitutional and the party will resist the same.
PNU was reacting to reports that Gwasi MP John Mbadi has filed a motion with the Speaker Kenneth Marende seeking House dissolution of the committee that is also chaired by the Speaker.
Mbadi in his motion accused PSC of hiring staff based on nepotism, neglecting members and staff welfare, and influencing tenders to companies where they have interests.
The Gwasi MP who is also supported by a number of MPs including Yatta’s Charles Kilonzo, Government Whip Jackoyo Midiwo accused PSC of the slow implementation of renovation of the Sh1 billion chamber.
He said the PSC had failed to rein in on the contractor who is now running out of schedule to complete the chamber.
The MP also accused the PSC of influencing who goes to oversees trips and inflating costs. He also cited unequal consideration on staff promotion based on ethnic lines other than professional qualifications thus demoralizing staff.
He further claimed that many have who have qualified for higher positions in the schemes are not appraised for promotion or re designation, he said a number of those with Diploma, Bachelors Degrees and relevant master are still support staff, instead of automatically getting promotions to the service of the commission.
The Gwasi MP also criticized the PSC for the slow pace of parliamentary reforms to align it with the articles of the new constitution.
Mbadi also cited the controversy over hiring of new staff that was due for completion by December in readiness for the Senate and increased number of MPs.
He says the process has been slowed down due to personal and ethnic interest among the the commissioners and top Directors in the institutions, who had recently promoted them selves to higher scales without considering other staff who had stagnated for long on one scale and those who had qualified for promotion despite having met the minimum qualification.
PNU, through PSC commissioner Jamleck Kamau availed to the press a statement signed by Kiraitu that stated that the party will retain its members in the all powerful commission.
“Attempts by a section of MPs to move a motion to disband Parliamentary Service Commission is unconstitutional. PNU has no problem with its members in the commission and we have no intention of replacing them,” said Kiraitu in a three paragraphed statement to the press.
The commission oversees the day to day running of parliament and its staff. A part from Marende who chairs the commission, other members are, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Jamleck (Kigumo), Peter Mwathi (Limuru), Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi), Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West), Chris Okemo (Nambale), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis) and Clerk Patrick Gichohi. There are two vacancies, that of Walter Nyambati who was PSC Vice Chair and Philip Murgor who was appointed assistant minister. Nyambati lost his seat through a poll petition.
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