ROLE OF AN MP
accountability by questioning Ministers and public officers during committee proceedings. They also inspect various government projects to establish facts and hold media briefings to state their positions on various national issues.
Working with constituents Kenyan MPs are expected to maintain a close link with their constituents and articulate issues affecting them, provide leadership and take part in local events. Constituents expect MPs to secure employment for them, build infrastructure and finance social needs like education, among others. To deliver, MPs make regular visits to constituencies. They help reach ministers to mobilize resources to address local challenges and air grievances of their constituents in the House. Kenyans can also petition
Parliament, through any MP, on matters of public interest they require addressed by the government. By raising such issues, the performance of a given Minister and the entire government is brought into close focus. In 2004, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was established through an Act of Parliament. Every year, 2.5 per cent (approximately Kshs10 billion) of the annual national budget is allocated to the CDF. MPs, who are patrons of their local CDF committees, together with committee members prioritize development projects equitably throughout the constituency.
MPs and policy-making MPs play a key role in policy- making as they have the power to amend government Bills, initiate legislation and analyze the spending priorities of government. The President’s Speech during the State Opening of Parliament outlines the governments’ policy and legislative agenda for the session. The Standing Orders allot
four days for MPs to debate the speech. The budget, which is presented
to Parliament for approval, outlines the government’s spending policy and sources of revenue. Following the Budget Speech by the Minister for Finance, MPs scrutinize departmental estimates in committees where they may question Ministers and officials about departmental spending plans. Through the Committee of Ways and Means and the Committee of Supply, MPs provide their input on the government’s taxation and general financial policy.
Question time provides a session for MPs to question government policies and actions. During the Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday afternoons, MPs may request statements or ask the Prime Minister questions relating to policy or the general performance of the government.
Individual Members also
attempt to influence policy-makers privately by telephoning or writing to Ministers to discuss their policy concerns. Kenya has a robust committee system, which provides for the scrutiny of government activities by MPs. The Standing Orders provide wide surveillance powers, including the power to summon witnesses and request documentary evidence. In committees, Members of the public, civil society representatives and other stakeholders contribute to Bills and the committee prepares a report which is submitted to the House.
Political party roles Kenya’s political parties take stands on various national issues and MPs belonging to these parties must make their contributions to these policies in reference to the party’s stand. Political parties are instrumental in enhancing parliamentary democracy. Every aspirant must be nominated by a party to vie for a
parliamentary seat. In return, they are ideally expected to support their parties’ policies when voting in the House. Parties must have a manifesto,
which outlines their policies and therefore the party caucus offers a platform for indirectly influencing government policy.
Support for Members of Parliament The responsibilities of MPs can be overwhelming such that they
“MPs are on-call on a 24-hour basis and often work for long hours. Though it is not easy, they have to juggle all these roles and are the typical “jacks of all trades....”“
require support in discharging their duties diligently. The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and the offices of the Speaker and Clerk help MPs in discharging their duties. The PSC provides and maintains Members’ offices, both in Nairobi and at the constituency, and employs technical staff to aid them in their parliamentary duties. Parliamentary staff, including Clerk Assistants and policy analysts (professional researchers and fiscal analysts), offer technical assistance such as the preparation of committee programmes, reports, parliamentary questions and motions, policy briefs and papers among others. The staff is available to provide any procedural and technical advice to Members in reference to the Standing Orders. Apart from their salaries, MPs receive other funds such as mileage reimbursement and a
constituency allowance to enable them to hire personal support staff at their constituency and parliamentary offices. They receive constituency office funds to pay staff such as constituency managers and secretaries as well as to run and maintain their offices. However, these monies must be accounted for as any other public funds. The PSC allocates finances from the annual parliamentary budget to facilitate Members’ capacity-building. Through training and workshops, MPs are exposed to various national policies, which are critical in discharging their roles. This helps them to contribute to debates in plenary sessions. MPs also make local and foreign trips to assess the status of projects or to gain from the experiences of other parliamentary jurisdictions. There is a wide source of
reference at the disposal of MPs in the Parliamentary Library and resource centre. They are also provided with security services while in Parliament buildings as well as catering and a gym.
Conclusion MPs play a critical role in strengthening the country’s democracy. However, competing interests make their lives and work a perpetual balancing act as they try to reconcile demands from political parties, the executive, constituents, stakeholders and family. MPs are on-call on a 24- hour basis and often work for long hours as they are either working in their constituencies, in committee meetings and plenary debates or travelling abroad on official assignments. Though it is not easy, they have to juggle all these roles and are the typical “jacks of all trades” – family members, community and national leaders, rights activists,
ambassadors and philanthropists. The MP has the heavy obligation to perform all these roles diligently for the good of the nation.
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