26/09/2023
Staggering Sh106m Bomas Talks Budget Exposed. Taxpayers money?
The funding for the Bomas talks, organized by a 10-member negotiation team appointed by President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, has been revealed.
The budget allocates Ksh 106 million for team allowances and planned retreats in Naivasha and Mombasa.
The breakdown includes Ksh 10 million for "document translation" and Ksh 15,000,000 for the publication of 1,000 copies of materials.
An additional Ksh 9.7 million is earmarked for contingency.
Co-chairs of the National Dialogue Committee, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, are entitled to Ksh 50,000 allowances per sitting.
Documents reveal that both Musyoka and Ichung’wah are expected to attend a total of 20 sittings, comprising 15 sessions at Bomas of Kenya, three in Naivasha during report writing, and two in Mombasa for the adoption of the final document to be submitted to Parliament.
The remaining eight members of the team are slated to receive Ksh 40,000 in allowances per sitting. These eight members will also attend a total of 20 sittings.
Each member of the eight-person technical team will get Ksh 25,000 per sitting for the 41 scheduled meetings, for a total of Ksh 1,025,000 per member.
This equates to Ksh 8.2 million for the technical crew as a whole.
The talks to settle the 2022 presidential election dispute are expected to last 60 days, with the possibility of an extension subject to parliamentary approval.
The 20 members of the secretariat will each be entitled to Ksh 15,000 per sitting for the 41 sessions.
This totals Ksh 12.3 million for the secretariat.
Furthermore, six security officers accompanying the team will receive Ksh 2,500 per day in allowances.
The budget was adopted on September 11, following a break in the National Dialogue Committee's sessions to participate in the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
Discussions between Musyoka, Ichung’wah, Opiyo Wandayi, and Hassan Omar with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’began on September 13.
The purpose was to seek financial support from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
While it remains unconfirmed whether the PSC has allocated or disbursed funds for the talks, it is evident that taxpayer funds are being channeled into the Bomas negotiations.
Both the National Assembly and the Senate passed a motion to formally establish the ongoing talks.
Aside from parliamentary funding, select Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are also contributing to the negotiations.
One NGO is reportedly covering the expenses for the Bomas conference facilities.
A significant portion of the budget, totaling Ksh 4.6 million, has been allocated to the Bomas of Kenya for conference facilities and catering.
The technical team is scheduled to convene in Naivasha from October 10 to 14 for the analysis of stakeholder submissions, incurring an expenditure of Ksh 8.9 million.
Besides allowances for various teams, ground transport will amount to Ksh 1.35 million.
Half-board accommodation for the 38-member team will cost Ksh 4.56 million, at Ksh 30,000 per member for four days.
The entire team, comprising the National Dialogue Committee, Technical Teams, and the secretariat, will hold another retreat in Naivasha from October 17 to 21 for report writing, with associated costs estimated at Ksh 11.4 million.
During this phase, ground transport will cost Ksh 2.1 million, while accommodation will require Ksh 4.8 million for the 38-member team during this phase.
Finally, the National Dialogue Committee is scheduled to convene in Mombasa from October 24 to 27 for the adoption of the report.
This event will involve members from the NDC, technical teams, secretariat, and security.
The talks team plans to spend Ksh 1.2 million on air tickets for 40 members, with ground transport at Ksh 1.68 million and accommodation costing Ksh 3.6 million for the three days.
Additional costs include advertising with the document indicating that the team spent Ksh 2.4 million in placing advertisements in two leading newspapers on September 1, primarily to invite members for public participation.
These financial details appear contradictory to previous claims made by Ichung’wah, who insisted that taxpayers' money would not be used for the talks.
In fact, Ichung’wah had rejected proposals to hold the discussions at the five-star Serena Hotel, suggesting alternative venues that would minimize costs to the public.