mzalendo :: Eye On Kenyan Parliament

• Truth be told Cabinet is bad news for Kenya

  Posted: April 14, 2008, 5:33 pm by admin

  BY MWALIMU MATI

  In 2007, the Kenya National Budget was set at about Ksh 700 billion (about USD 10.7 billion).

  Of this amount, the Government has to make loan repayments and pension payments (for retired civil servants) to the tune of Ksh 141 billion (or USD 2.1 billion).

  Of the remaining Ksh 559 billion (USD 8.6 billion), the Government planned to spend Ksh 300 billion (USD 4.6 billion) on running 34 Ministries.

  After catering for Government’s running costs (salaries, equipment, furniture both office and household), there is only Ksh 260 billion (or USD 4 billion) for Development Expenditure available. However not all this money comes from the Government. In fact it borrows about Ksh 52 billion (or USD 800 million) for building roads, improving infrastructure, providing health and education services etc… from international donors. In the past the Government has misused loans and left Kenyans to repay.

  At the end, only Ksh 200 billion (USD 3.2 billion) will remain for spending on the people of Kenya - the majority of whom live below the poverty line.

  Now that the Cabinet has been increased to 43, the Government must spend more. Back of the Envelope Calculations say that the average recurrent cost of running a Ministry is Ksh 8.8 billion – or USD 130million. Therefore 9 new Ministries would cost 9 times Ksh 8.8 billion equivalent to Ksh 79.2 billion or USD 1.2 billion. This increase wipes out the Ksh 50 billion, the Ministry of Finance will raise from selling some of its Safaricom shares.

  The money for the new Ministries will, of necessity, be deducted from the Ksh 200 billion development budget (USD 3.2 billion).

  So at the end of the day, having 43 Ministries means that Kenyans are not likely to have more than Ksh 130 billion (USD 2billion) spent on them for Education, Health, Road Construction and Water to take a few examples of what Government is meant to actually be doing to develop Kenya.

  It is tragic that a 43 member Cabinet means that Kenyans will expect only about 19% of the Ksh 700 billion national budget to be spent on developing the country. It appears as if the GOK has ceased to have a development function and exists only to tax Kenyans, and spend taxpayer’s money on GOK recurrent costs (salaries, loans and pensions).

  What will those who pay for all this (taxpayers and donors) have to say to this economic mismanagement knowing that Kenyans:

  - live with inflation above 20%

  - want an end to the sad situation whereby well over 150,000 IDPs live in tents (supported by the Red Cross – not the GOK)

  - will soon suffer from food shortages this year and have to rely on charity

  - thought that the National Accord was intended to facilitate relief to the poorest and worst off – and not to construct a bloated government

  - have heard that the Government has asked donors for Ksh 31 billion (USD 476 million) to resettle the IDPs, because the GOK is unable to raise this amount from its own resources.

  And to cap it all, Parliament will now have to scrutinise the budget for this leviathan Grand Coalition with only 129 MPs not in Government. Last year over 36 vote heads were guillotined, and passed unscrutinised, for lack of debating time. This included the budget for the Ministry of Finance, which prepared the budget for 2007, and suspiciously doubled its own budget. The death knell is being sounded for parliamentary check on executive authority.

  Finally, are the Kenyan people architects of their own misfortune, or victims of rapacity in the political elite?

• NO MORE THAN 24 - SMS CAMPAIGN

  Posted: April 8, 2008, 2:57 pm by admin

  Kenyans for Peace and Justice (KPTJ) have launched a SMS campaign to urge politicians to fight against a bloated Cabinet. Given the current impasse, there is still an opportunity to urge OUR elected representatives to stop being selfish and to put the nation’s interest before their personal interests.

  While we do not have the contact information of all MPs, we at Mzalendo are working hard to update what is missing. We do have quite a number of emails and phone numbers so click on the MP profiles and use that information to contact them and express your views - our country should not be held hostage by a few individuals. Also, please help us fill the information gaps by leaving a comment or via the contact page. If you are unable to SMS, you can express how you feel by leaving a comment on your MP’s profile page. Also please forward this widely to your own networks and contacts.

  Some examples of messages you can send are below (it adds strength to your sms if you personalize it by addressing the MP directly. e.g. “Mr. Saitoti, Kenyans want a lean, clean cabinet.”)

  Siasa Ya Pupa
  Njaa Kwetu!

  Kenyans Want A Lean, Clean Cabinet

  Lean and Clean
  Greed is Obscene

  Cabinet Feasts
  IDPs Starve

  Do the Right Thing for Kenya
  No More Than 24

  Our Country Our Cabinet
  No More Than 24

  Contact info for some of the MPs:

  Abdirahman, H.Ali - Wajir South - KANU - 0721-724746 / 0722-144999 ahassan@tradeandindustry.go.ke

  Chiaba, Mohamed Abu - Lamu East - PNU - 0722-410177

  Bahari, Abdul Ali - Isiolo South - KANU - 0733-289501

  Balala, Mohammed Najib - Mvita - ODM - 0733 333500 /0724 - 650000 najib@mombasa.co.ke

  Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester - Bumula - PNU - 0733-865323 Wakolib@yahoo.com

  Chepkitony, Lucas Kipkosgei - Keiyo North - ODM - 0733-635894 / 0722816064

  Ethuro, David - Turkana Central - PNU- 0722-526370 dethuro@yahoo.com

  Gesami, James Ondicho - West Mugirango - ODM- 0733 826090

  Gisuka, Machage Wilfred - Kuria - DP - 0733-451806/0725834575

  Kajembe, Ramathan Seif - Changamwe - ODM - 0721 609777 Langoni@swiftmombasa.com

  Kajwang’, Gerald Otieno - Mbita - ODM - 0722-882787

  Kamama, Asman Abongotum - Baringo East - PNU - 0731-583303

  Karua, Martha Wangari Gichugu - PNU - 0721 623 342 / 0733-747551

  Kenneth, Peter Gatanga - PNU - 0722 512996 andykenneth@hotmail.com

  Kenyatta, Uhuru - Gatundu South - KANU - 0722 463 891

  Keter, Charles Cheruiyot - Belgut - ODM - 0722 530555

  Khalwale Boni - Ikolomani - NEW FORD-K - 0721 318722

  Khaniri, George Munyasa - Hamisi - ODM - 0722-859341

  Kilonzo, Julias Kiema Mutito - ODM-K - 0722-513605 kilonzo@wananchi.com

  Kilonzo, Charles Mutavi - Yatta - ODM-K - 0734-621593 ckilonzo@crystalvaluers.com
  Kimunya Amos Muhinga Kipipiri PNU - 0722518801 / 520936 kipipiri@wananchi.com

  Kinyanjui, Lee Maiyani - Nakuru Town - PNU - 0722 842653

  Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi - Laikipia East - PNU - 0721 600 305

  Kuti Mohammed Abdi - Isiolo North - NARC-K - 0733 235914

  Lesirma, Simeon Saimanga - Samburu West - ODM - 0722-719946 simeonlesrima@yahoo.com

  Magara - James Omingo - South Mugirango - ODM - 0722 911274 jomingo45@yahoo.com

  Katoo, Ole Metito J - Kajiado South - 0721-640175

  Midiwo, Washington Jakoyo - Gem - ODM - 0721 504 040 / 0733 421277/ 0722 935761

  Mohamed, A.H.M - Mandera West - ODM - 0722-779942

  Mohammed, Haji Yusuf - Ijara - KANU - 0722-709395

  Mugo, Beth Wambui - Dagoretti - PNU - 0722-205753 bmugo@kenyaweb.com

  Mungatana, Danson Buya - Garsen - NARC-K - 0722-411971 mungatana@wanainchi.com

  Munyes, John Kiyonga - Turkana North - PNU - 0721-339094 johnmunyes@yahoo.com

  Murungi, Kiraitu - South Imenti - PNU - 0721-240863 waziri@kenyaweb.com

  Musila, David - Mwingi South - ODM-K - 0722 571117 davidmusila@yahoo.com

  Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo - Mwingi North - ODM-K - 0722 523 872 / 0735 161 588

  Mwangi, Onesmus Kigumo - PNU - 0722-778581 kiharamwangimp@yahoo.com

  Mwatela, Andrew Calist - Mwatate - ODM 0733 719 871

  Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi - Tigania West - PNU - 0733-657562 kilemimwiria@africanonline.co.ke

  Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka - Kaiti - ODM-K - 0720-384553/0734-758567 gndambuki@wananchi.com

  Githae, Robinson Njeru - Ndia - PNU - 722514837

  Nkaisserry, Joseph Kasaine - Kajiado Central - ODM - 0721-356786 nkaisserry@wananchi.com

  Nyong’o, Peter Anyang’ - Kisumu Rural - ODM - 0733 454 133 pan@africaonline.co.ke

  Odinga, Raila Amolo - Langata - ODM - 0733 620 736 railaaodinga@yahoo.com

  Oginga, Oburu Bondo - ODM - 0733 818517/ 0724-105493 oburu_oginga@yahoo.com

  Odeke, Sospeter Ojaamongson Amagoro - ODM - 0733 967345 / 0722 813819

  Ojode, Joshua Orwa Ndhiwa - ODM - 0722- 514830 Ojode7@hotmail.com

  Okemo, Chrysanthus Nambale - ODM - 0733-608895 Chrisokemo@yahoo.com

  Olweny, Patrick Ayiecho - Muhoroni - ODM - 0722-734187/0733-784633

  Onyancha, Charles - Bonchari - ODM - 0722-248190 jonyancha2002@yahoo.com

  Oparanya, Wycliffe Ambetsa - Butere - ODM - 0722 521856

  Osebe, Walter Enock Nyambati - Kitutu Masaba - N LP - 0722 724 556

  Poghisio, Samuel Losuron Kacheliba - ODM-K - 0722-520663 / 0734-200836 poghisio@wananchi.com

  Ruto, Samoei William K. - Eldoret North - ODM - 0722 517 997 info@williamrutto.com

  Shaban Naomi Namsi Taveta KANU 0722 814 412

  Shitanda, Peter Soita - Malava - NEW FORD-K - 0721-341241 soita-shitanda@yahoo.com

  Sugow Ahmed Aden Fafi KANU 0721-596726

  Twaha, Yasin Fahim - Lamu West - NARC-K - 0722-925108

  Wekesa, Noah Muhlanganga - Kwanza - PNU - 0722-774374 noahwekesa@hotmail.com

  Were, David Aoko Matungu - ODM - 0722 707548/0733 569180 scorpionwere@yahoo.com

  Wetangula - Moses Makisa Sirisia - PNU - 0722 517 302 / 806 363 mwetangula@hotmail.com

  ATTORNEY GENERAL OF KENYA

  Amos Wako 0722 772 453

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes