Kenya’s Parliament is planning to spend millions of shillings on luxury services and gifts for legislators, according to a public notice inviting suppliers to bid for the provision of goods and services before May 3rd. The plan includes fine dining in expensive restaurants, luxury helicopter rides, high-end catering within Parliament offering premium wines and spirits, and corporate branding, all at the expense of taxpayers.
Parliament is also looking for suppliers of branded promotional materials, charter planes, chopper services, hotel accommodation and conference facilities, as well as gifts including assorted branded merchandise.
Read: KShs 802 million to buy cars for Ruto, Rigathi and Mudavadi
The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) runs a catering service that offers MPs a five-course meal at subsidized prices, courtesy of taxpayers. Parliament’s in-house restaurant also allows MPs to access endless morning and lunchtime meals and various premium drinks in the evening.
The plan comes amid a severe austerity drive by the government to shave off Ksh300 billion from the national budget, with President William Ruto tasking the National Treasury to begin planning spending cuts on non-priority items to tame the country’s massive budget deficit.
However, several state agencies, including Parliament, are still engaging in non-essential spending on goods and services such as fresh flowers and lunches, against the President’s directive. The plan also comes weeks after Treasury revealed a plan to unveil a luxury gym and spa amid an austerity push.
Read: IPF Blames Kenya’s Economic Slowdown on Poor Fiscal Discipline
Treasury is searching for an operator for its new upscale and posh members-only gymnasium club and massage parlour at its Nairobi Bima House headquarters.
The Presidency has also been on the spot for lavish spending, including splurging on luxury cars and hospitality amid a biting cash crisis that has seen civil servants go unpaid. State House’s top economic adviser, Dr David Ndii, recently confirmed that the government is facing an acute cash crunch amid steeper public debt obligations.
Email your news TIPS to editor@thesharpdaily.com
