mzalendo :: Eye On Kenyan Parliament

Greetings everyone, and happy new year!

As you may know, Mzalendo started off as a discussion many years ago that quickly took on a life of its own.

We have been incrementally adding feature and content purely as volunteer work but with limited resources it has been an increasing struggle to keep Mzalendo up to date and functional.

We are happy to announce that as of this year we have secured a small grant from the Omidyar Network to revamp and revitalize Mzalendo, adding features and functionality that will make it an unparalleled resource in monitoring statistics and information on past & present aspirants and members of parliament.

Below is the roadmap. You are welcome to send in your comments and suggestions or email us at comments@mzalendo.com

Some of the features we intend to add include the following:

• Total revamp of the look and feel
• Collection of additional data: constituency populations, registered voters and votes cast, MP quotes, activities & calendar
• User logins using OpenID (Facebook, google, yahoo, twitter)
• User & comment rating
• Verified MP logins - to prevent masquerading
• Polls
• SMS commenting
• Constituency & district maps
• CDF fund & project tracking
• Graphs & statistics

Execution will being in February. While revamping the technical side of the website is important, we also need your help and participation as far as content - after all this initiative is also about encouraging Kenyan voters to be more active in monitoring their MPs - so keep submitting reports about your MP’s performance, send us your stories so that we can share them on our blog, and let us know if you’d like to be a regular contributor to the site.

We are working on a comprehensive update of the Mzalendo platform this year.

The new roadmap will be published soon.

We have finally been able to get our hands on a soft copy of the revised standing orders. You can download a copy here.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008, the 17 Kenyans filed High Court Petition No. 769 of 2008, at the Nairobi Law Courts, requesting that the PSC be scrapped for violating the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya, and for flouting the republican ethics that prohibit public officials from using their offices for unjust enrichment and other forms of personal gain.

The Parliamentary Service Commission has appointed Mr. Paul Muite (immediate former Kabete MP) and Mr. Phiroze Nowrjee to represent them.

The case comes up again for mention on March 12, 2009, at the Nairobi High Court, Chamber 35, at 9.00 am.

You can lend your support to the case, by signing up to be a petitioner here. You can also find out more about the case including filed affidavits at the link.

According to CDF Insight:

CDF Insight investigations have established that out of the fourty cases presented to KACC only two were taken before the law courts for prosecution, one was dismissed while the rest seem to have either been forgotten or are being investigated at snail’s pace. Mysteriously, the Director Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko indicates that his office had not received any cases either from the CDF Board or the KACC requiring him to take over prosecution as empowered by the constitutional law.

Read more here

The National Taxpayers Association has conducted it’s first audit of constituency funds in Machakos and Kathiani constituencies and has found that close to Kshs 19 million was lost to “ghost projects” under the watch of the previous MPs David Mwanzia and Peter Kaindi, both of whom did not make it back to the Tenth Parliament.

Lets hope the National Taxpayers Association can be similarly transparent about their own work and update their website / publish the full reports online.

The list of MPs volunteering to get pay their taxes keeps growing (although one wonders where they were next week). Kenyans - please keep up the pressure and let YOUR representatives know how you feel about this issue. The updated list of MPs (courtesy Standard) who are willing to pay taxes is as follows:

-Those who have authorised deductions from their allowances:

1. Joseph Muthama

2. Jeremiah Kioni

3. FT Nyammo

Those who have expressed willingness to pay but have yet to act formally:

1. Kalonzo Musyoka

2. Samuel Poghisio

3. Mutula Kilonzo

4. Muhamad Adbi Affrey

5. Shakilla Abdalla

6. Charles Kilonzo

7. Kiema Kilonzo

8. Peter Kiilu

9. Peter Kaloki

10. David Musila

11. Victor Munyaka

12. Nur Abdi Nassir

13 Hussein Sasura

14. Benson Mbai

15. Isaac Muoki

16. Daniel Muoki

17. Gideon Ndambuki

18. Mwangi Kiunjiri

19. Wavinya Ndeti

20. Cyrus Jirongo

21. Ababu Namwamba

22. John Ngata Kariuki

23. Kabanda wa Kabando

24. Dick Wathika

Dear Kenyan voters, it is time to do more than complain about YOUR mps and their refusal to pay taxes on their allowance…this culture of arrogance and selfishness must be put to end and they must be reminded that they are OUR representatives.

What can you do?

First, you can contact them directly via the contact information listed below and let them know how you feel (we are working on updating the list).

Abdirahman, H.Ali - Wajir South - KANU - 0721-724746 / 0722-144999 ahassan@tradeandindustry.go.ke

Chiaba, Mohamed Abu - Lamu East - PNU - 0722-410177

Bahari, Abdul Ali - Isiolo South - KANU - 0733-289501

Balala, Mohammed Najib - Mvita - ODM - 0733 333500 /0724 - 650000 najib@mombasa.co.ke

Bifwoli, Wakoli Sylvester - Bumula - PNU - 0733-865323 Wakolib@yahoo.com

Chepkitony, Lucas Kipkosgei - Keiyo North - ODM - 0733-635894 / 0722816064

Ethuro, David - Turkana Central - PNU- 0722-526370 dethuro@yahoo.com

Gesami, James Ondicho - West Mugirango - ODM- 0733 826090

Gisuka, Machage Wilfred - Kuria - DP - 0733-451806/0725834575

Kajembe, Ramathan Seif - Changamwe - ODM - 0721 609777 Langoni@swiftmombasa.com

Kajwang’, Gerald Otieno - Mbita - ODM - 0722-882787

Kamama, Asman Abongotum - Baringo East - PNU - 0731-583303

Karua, Martha Wangari Gichugu - PNU - 0721 623 342 / 0733-747551

Kenneth, Peter Gatanga - PNU - 0722 512996 andykenneth@hotmail.com

Kenyatta, Uhuru - Gatundu South - KANU - 0722 463 891

Keter, Charles Cheruiyot - Belgut - ODM - 0722 530555

Khalwale Boni - Ikolomani - NEW FORD-K - 0721 318722

Khaniri, George Munyasa - Hamisi - ODM - 0722-859341

Kilonzo, Julias Kiema Mutito - ODM-K - 0722-513605 kilonzo@wananchi.com

Kilonzo, Charles Mutavi - Yatta - ODM-K - 0734-621593 ckilonzo@crystalvaluers.com
Kimunya Amos Muhinga Kipipiri PNU - 0722518801 / 520936 kipipiri@wananchi.com

Kinyanjui, Lee Maiyani - Nakuru Town - PNU - 0722 842653

Kiunjuri, Festus Mwangi - Laikipia East - PNU - 0721 600 305

Kuti Mohammed Abdi - Isiolo North - NARC-K - 0733 235914

Lesirma, Simeon Saimanga - Samburu West - ODM - 0722-719946 simeonlesrima@yahoo.com

Magara - James Omingo - South Mugirango - ODM - 0722 911274 jomingo45@yahoo.com

Katoo, Ole Metito J - Kajiado South - 0721-640175

Midiwo, Washington Jakoyo - Gem - ODM - 0721 504 040 / 0733 421277/ 0722 935761

Mohamed, A.H.M - Mandera West - ODM - 0722-779942

Mohammed, Haji Yusuf - Ijara - KANU - 0722-709395

Mugo, Beth Wambui - Dagoretti - PNU - 0722-205753 bmugo@kenyaweb.com

Mungatana, Danson Buya - Garsen - NARC-K - 0722-411971 mungatana@wanainchi.com

Munyes, John Kiyonga - Turkana North - PNU - 0721-339094 johnmunyes@yahoo.com

Murungi, Kiraitu - South Imenti - PNU - 0721-240863 waziri@kenyaweb.com

Musila, David - Mwingi South - ODM-K - 0722 571117 davidmusila@yahoo.com

Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo - Mwingi North - ODM-K - 0722 523 872 / 0735 161 588

Mwangi, Onesmus Kigumo - PNU - 0722-778581 kiharamwangimp@yahoo.com

Mwatela, Andrew Calist - Mwatate - ODM 0733 719 871

Mwiria, Valerian Kilemi - Tigania West - PNU - 0733-657562 kilemimwiria@africanonline.co.ke

Ndambuki, Gideon Musyoka - Kaiti - ODM-K - 0720-384553/0734-758567 gndambuki@wananchi.com

Githae, Robinson Njeru - Ndia - PNU - 722514837

Nkaisserry, Joseph Kasaine - Kajiado Central - ODM - 0721-356786 nkaisserry@wananchi.com

Nyong’o, Peter Anyang’ - Kisumu Rural - ODM - 0733 454 133 pan@africaonline.co.ke

Odinga, Raila Amolo - Langata - ODM - 0733 620 736 railaaodinga@yahoo.com

Oginga, Oburu Bondo - ODM - 0733 818517/ 0724-105493 oburu_oginga@yahoo.com

Odeke, Sospeter Ojaamongson Amagoro - ODM - 0733 967345 / 0722 813819

Ojode, Joshua Orwa Ndhiwa - ODM - 0722- 514830 Ojode7@hotmail.com

Okemo, Chrysanthus Nambale - ODM - 0733-608895 Chrisokemo@yahoo.com

Olweny, Patrick Ayiecho - Muhoroni - ODM - 0722-734187/0733-784633

Onyancha, Charles - Bonchari - ODM - 0722-248190 jonyancha2002@yahoo.com

Oparanya, Wycliffe Ambetsa - Butere - ODM - 0722 521856

Osebe, Walter Enock Nyambati - Kitutu Masaba - N LP - 0722 724 556

Poghisio, Samuel Losuron Kacheliba - ODM-K - 0722-520663 / 0734-200836 poghisio@wananchi.com

Ruto, Samoei William K. - Eldoret North - ODM - 0722 517 997 info@williamrutto.com

Shaban Naomi Namsi Taveta KANU 0722 814 412

Shitanda, Peter Soita - Malava - NEW FORD-K - 0721-341241 soita-shitanda@yahoo.com

Sugow Ahmed Aden Fafi KANU 0721-596726

Twaha, Yasin Fahim - Lamu West - NARC-K - 0722-925108

Wekesa, Noah Muhlanganga - Kwanza - PNU - 0722-774374 noahwekesa@hotmail.com

Were, David Aoko Matungu - ODM - 0722 707548/0733 569180 scorpionwere@yahoo.com

Wetangula - Moses Makisa Sirisia - PNU - 0722 517 302 / 806 363 mwetangula@hotmail.com

Second, you can express yourself on Mzalendo MP pages.

Third, encourage the media to find out where each MP stands on the issue - they should not hide behind closed doors if they are comfortable with their decision. MPs who have gone on record to defend tax-free allowances are:

Peter Kenneth – Gatanga
George Nyamweya – Nominated MP
Boni Khalwale – Ikolomani
Danson Mungatana – Garsen
Soita Shitanda – Malava
Ali Hassan Joho – Hamisi
Charles Keter – Belgut, David Koech- Mosop
Fred Kapondi – Mt. Elgon Charles Kilonzo –
Sammy Mwaita – Baringo Central, MP;
Ephraim Maina – Mathira, MP.

Finally, congratulate Hon. Muthama for standing out in his willingness to pay taxes : +254 724 256 664 and let us know of others who should be commended for doing the right thing.

EDIT: The following MPs have joined Hon. Muthama in declaring their support for taxation

- Hon. Wavinya Ndeti
- Hon. Jeremiah Kioni

[Hat tip Mwalimu!]

The controversial Opposition Bill is all set to be discussed in Parliament in the next few weeks. It has been difficult to get a copy of the full text of the bill but we finally managed to do so.

You can read the full text of the Opposition Bill here.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE COMMISSION
The Parliamentary Service Commission is seeking to appoint a highly motivated professional to join the National Assembly in the following exciting and challenging position:-

MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICER (PSC 10)
Responsible to the Director, Information & Research Services, the officer will be incharge of Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit and manage all Media affairs of the National Assembly in a timely and efficient manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Formulation, interpretation and application of procedures of the National Assembly Media Services and live broadcasting of Parliamentary proceedings;
* Assembling information on the procedures and operations of Parliament for Parliamentarians, staff and the public for official use;
* Organizing Parliament’s outreach programmes;
* Coordinating all publications of the National Assembly;
* Organizing all Media events of the National Assembly;
* Updating and maintaining of the Parliamentary Website.
* Any other duties relating to Media Services.

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT
For appointment to this post, a candidate must have served for a minimum of five years in a reputable media house with substantial experience in both print and electronic media and must also be in possession of the following minimum qualifications:

(i) A bachelor degree in Law or any other Social Sciences; (ii) A masters degree in either Communications or Public Relations;

(iii) A post graduate qualification in Mass Communications and Experience in Parliamentary reporting will be considered as an added advantage.

Application Procedure:
Applications together with copies of academic certificates and testimonials including letters of reference from two referees should be submitted so as to reach:

The Clerk/ Secretary
Parliamentary Service Commission
P.O. Box 41842-00100
Nairobi, Kenya.

On or before 17th November 2008.