Parliamentary committees have resumed the practice of holding meetings outside the main legislative buildings, a move that comes despite ongoing government austerity measures. This decision places an additional financial burden on taxpayers, who must cover the costs of high-end venues, sitting allowances, and accommodation for legislators.
Despite the availability of the Sh9.9 billion Bunge Towers, constructed to provide ample space for legislative meetings, some committees have opted to convene in luxury hotels both within and outside the capital. This trend persists even while Parliament is on a short recess, as committee sittings continue.
Recently, various committees have met at upscale locations such as Four Points by Sheraton-JKIA, Hilton Garden Inn on Mombasa Road, and Holiday Inn at Two Rivers Mall. Since March 24, the National Assembly Committee on Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation has been conducting sessions at the Hilton Garden Inn. Their discussions focus on matters such as the protocol amending the Marrakesh Agreement related to fisheries subsidies. This engagement, spanning four days, includes meetings with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and experts.
Similarly, the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education is engaging with state agencies, universities, and institutions at the Holiday Inn in Kiambu County. These sessions commenced on March 25 and will continue until March 27.
In the Senate, the Finance and Budget Committee convened a session with the Commission on Revenue Allocation at Four Points by Sheraton-JKIA. Just two weeks prior, a similar meeting was held at the same venue to discuss revenue-sharing policies among county governments.
The Administration and Internal Security Committee also gathered at Glee Hotel in Kiambu County on March 6 to deliberate on Supplementary Estimates II. Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s Defense, National Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee has been conducting special visits in Mombasa in collaboration with the Ministry.
Hosting conferences in high-end hotels significantly increases expenses. A conference at Four Points by Sheraton-JKIA, for instance, costs approximately Sh3,800 per person, covering meals and venue charges. With committee sessions running for several days, accommodation expenses are also incurred. At this hotel, an overnight stay is priced at around Sh19,400 per person. Given that committee sizes range from 21 members upwards, including staff, the total expenditure escalates quickly.
Committee members also receive allowances for their participation. The chairperson is entitled to Sh15,000 per sitting, with a monthly cap of Sh240,000. Vice chairpersons receive Sh12,000 per sitting, up to a maximum of Sh192,000 per month, while regular committee members earn Sh7,500 per sitting, with a cap of Sh120,000 per month.
Officials defending these meetings argue that available space within parliamentary buildings is inadequate. With 44 committees in total but only 18 designated meeting rooms in Bunge Towers and Parliament precincts, scheduling conflicts arise. If all committees were to convene simultaneously, time limitations or external venues would be necessary to accommodate the sessions.
Of the 28 committee rooms available, 18 are designated for the Senate and 10 for the National Assembly. Efforts have been made to reduce the number of external sittings by 90 percent, but some meetings are still held outside Parliament due to space constraints. Additionally, in certain cases, funding from ministries and partners helps offset costs, allowing critical legislative discussions to proceed despite budget limitations.
Although Senate officials maintain that no ordinary sittings take place outside Parliament, some committees have chosen to retreat to external venues for specific purposes such as report writing or stakeholder engagements. These external meetings continue to raise concerns about financial prudence, as taxpayers ultimately bear the cost.
