MPs vacate offices as their term expire

By Peter Opiyo

Nairobi,KENYA: MPs have been instructed to clear with Parliament following the expiry of its term.

Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi has written to all the 222 MPs asking them to clear with the relevant departments with effect from Monday.

“The term of the 10^th Parliament will expire on January 14, 2013. Equipments/items issued to your offices during the last five years require clearance and this process involves different departments for inventory purposes,” Mr Bundi said in a letter to the MPs.

MPs’ term expires Monday and the legislators are required to clear with various departments like sports, catering, and accounts, amongst others.

“All honourable members are requested to complete the attached form and clear with various departments with effect from January 14, 2013,” said Bundi.

Parliament has also suspended catering services to MPs until up to next month, saying this is being done to ‘allow for minor repairs.’

“This is to inform all honourable members that Kenya National Assembly Catering Services will be suspended with effect from January 14, 2013, evening to allow for minor repairs. Services will resume on February 4, 2013,” said another letter from Bundi.

The letter is copied to Speaker Kenneth Marende, the Parliamentary Service Commission, Clerk of the Senate, Director General, Senior Deputy Clerks and Directors

At the MPs’ offices at Continental House, personal assistants were busy clearing offices of their bosses’ belongings.

The MPs have also been asked to return the log-in cards they were handed for transacting business in the ultra-modern chamber. The Chamber is fixed with electronic devices for e-voting and also has automated monitors that require a log-in card for one to contribute to debate.