House seeks to tame officials’ flight costs

All State officers and civil servants will travel in economy class on local flights and no higher than business class on international trips, if the government implements a motion supported by most MPs.

Only the President and Deputy President, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament and the Chief Justice and the deputy, will be exempted from this rule.

The rest will foot the cost of upgrades from economy or business class and the decision would take place with immediate effect and the respective accounting officers directed to take necessary action.

All MPs praised the idea proposed by Jamleck Kamau (Kigumo, TNA) and supported by the Majority in the National Assembly.

As they contributed to the motion, the MPs painted the picture of wasteful spending in government, where civil servants and State officers make every effort to live large on taxpayers’ money.

Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman Mutava Musyimi captured the essence of their contributions.

“We have a culture, understanding and philosophy as a people that government is a place you go to make money. Government is no longer a place you go to serve. That’s why government has become a major employer. It is a suicidal culture,” he said.

BECOME RUTHLESS

Rev Musyimi said at the next Budget cycle, the committee would be “ruthless” and the committee would not approve a shilling more than is necessary for the running of any ministry.

Mr Kamau said he was preparing a Bill to turn the proposal in a law and which would have provisions for the punishment of those who break that law.

The motion will be put to the vote when the National Assembly meets Thursday.