House team exposes neglect, underfunding of constituency offices

A report by a House team has exposed the challenges staff working in MPs’ constituency offices face as they go about their duties.

It paints a picture of widespread neglect that is crippling the ability of MPs to serve their constituents effectively.

The National Assembly’s Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities says there is a collapse in the support structure for the offices.

While some MPs have lived by the book, settling their staffers in good time and sorting out rent issues, others have serious trouble.

The investigation, which covered offices in Siaya, Kisumu, Narok and Bomet counties, uncovered several critical issues, including salary delays.

Staff in all visited offices reported that their salaries have not been increased since September 2022, despite the rising cost of living.

They pleaded for a review of their remuneration to reflect their workload and economic pressures.

The committee observed that “the emoluments of staff working at constituency offices had not been enhanced, resulting in stagnation of staff remuneration”.

“There has been no salary increment since September 2022. The officers requested a review of their remuneration to better reflect their workload and the prevailing cost of living,” the report stated from its visit to the Narok South constituency office.

The report highlights that the rent allocations from the Parliamentary Service Commission are grossly inadequate.

These rates were last reviewed in July 2015, a decade ago, forcing offices into substandard or financially unsustainable locations.

“High rental costs posed a significant challenge. Office space in Kisumu town costs approximately Sh90,000 per month… yet the PSC allocates only Sh44,100 for rent,” the Kisumu Woman representative’s office reported.

Further revelations concern the state of healthcare coverage.

Staff are covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), but the committee concluded that the benefits are “dangerously inadequate”.

An officer in Bomet East detailed how SHIF didn’t come through despite his Sh5,500 monthly contribution (Sh66,000 annually) to the fund.

He recounted that after an accident that left him with a Sh70,000 hospital bill, the scheme paid a paltry Sh32,000, leaving him to cover the significant shortfall.

“...the SHIF medical cover, facilities and services provided to constituency office staff were not commensurate with their contributions, compelling staff to seek alternative medical care,” the committee concluded.

Operations funds are consistently released at the end of each quarter, disrupting office activities and planning.

This forces offices to delay payments to suppliers and service providers, damaging their credibility.

“This adjustment would facilitate smoother operations and ensure timely payment of recurring bills and obligations,” the committee noted, recommending a shift to monthly disbursements.

The report also highlights a severe skills gap, with most staff receiving no formal training.

“The committee also observed that staff at constituency offices lacked adequate training to enhance their skills and competencies,” the report stated.

The team noted that development opportunities were typically reserved only for the office manager and the member’s personal assistant.

Cases of poor office infrastructure have also been cited. Several offices were found in remote, inaccessible locations, in residential areas, or in buildings unsuitable for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Some also lacked basic, quality furniture despite allocations being available.

In response to the crisis, the committee has issued a series of urgent recommendations to the PSC.

It demands an immediate review and increase of staff salaries and office rent allocations to reflect current market rates.

It has also called for the PSC, through the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training, to “organise seminars and workshops and develop a curriculum for continuous training and capacity building for all staff”.

Additionally, the committee recommends that the PSC engage the Social Health Authority to explore a comprehensive enhancement of the medical coverage for its staff.