MPs staff call for training, induction to run constituencies

Staff working for MPs in constituency offices want the Parliamentary Committee on Members Services and Facilities to push for their training for effective service delivery.

The staff told the Committee chaired by Laikipia West MP Wachira Karani that they have not been inducted on parliamentary work since being employed.

The Karani-led Committee was on a tour of the selected constituency and County MPs' offices.

"We would like you to help in revamping introduction of a more friendly and easy-to-use accountability process because the one in place is very tedious," one of the staff said.

They asked for the training of those handling finances on efficient financial management so as to ensure effective accountability.

The staff made the remarks when the Committee visited the Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Malindi as well as Kilifi Woman Representative offices over the weekend to interact with employees and listen to their needs.

The Committee was divided into two with one group headed by Karani and the other delegation led by his vice chairperson Feisal Bader (Msambweni).

"The Parliamentary Service Commission has cushioned staff from financial challenges by paying them their salaries monthly. Before staff were earning their pay after three months," Karani said.

On Friday, the Karani-led group visited Kilifi South, Kilifi North and Malindi Constituency offices alongside the Kilifi Woman Representative office.

They also paid a courtesy call to the Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott during the day-long fact-finding tour.

Bader led his team in visiting Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito's office and also met the Kwale County Commissioner.

The Committee members also visited Msambweni, Nyali, Kisauni and Likoni Constituency offices and the Mombasa Woman Representative office.

"The Committee has taken seriously staff grievances and will ensure that they will be addressed by PSC," he said.

Karani called for support from MPs when he will table the Committee's report in the House so that the staff issues are addressed immediately.

The staff asked the Committee to recommend that all new constituency employees should undergo an induction course to familiarize themselves with their office work.

For effective financial management, they asked for the training of officers handling constituency finances.

They also asked for a more friendly financial accounting system saying the one in place was very tedious.

They also asked the Committee to intervene and have their gratuity paid on time saying delay in paying the funds exposed them to financial challenges.

They complained that their statutory deductions were not being remitted to the organizations as a result the offices were slapped with hefty penalties.

They also asked for monthly office operations cash to help the offices run smoothly alongside equipping the offices with adequate ICT equipment.