A new report shows that poor Kenyans will toil to raise more than Sh1.1 billion to establish a fully fledged parliamentary broadcasting channel for Members of Parliament.
The TV channel will also cost Kenyans Sh300 million every year or Sh25 million every month to run once the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) approves its establishment.
The Bunge TV Channel will broadcast all proceedings and events of the Senate and the National Assembly all round the clock increasing the parliament’s budget that caters for monthly salary to each MP which is more than million with hefty allowances and a Sh5 million car grant.
Parliament will need Sh524.6 million to implement the first phase of the project and another Sh600 million for the second phase that includes procurement of equipment for the channel.
“It is important to note that an additional cost of Sh25 million will be incurred on a monthly basis to cater for additional services to complement the services being offered in the existing contractual obligation.” the report read in part.
National Assembly’s Broadcasting and Library Committee report shows that phase one will include upgrading of the current contract with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), to committee meetings as well.
The state broadcaster which airs all live parliamentary proceedings is expected to provide technical support, equipment and production staff in the first phase of the non profiting Tv channel.
Greedy MPs are not bothered that the country is mired in poverty and with the unemployment rate standing at over 40% and worsened by the ravaging pandemic.
The first phase will require Sh249.8 million in the first year, Sh247.4 million in the second year as well as third year, Sh2 million for purchase of fibre cables and Sh25 million bringing the total cost to Sh524.2 million.
In the second phase, the committee projects to spend up to Sh382.3 million on equipment purchase and other expenses like the costs of day-to-day operations of Sh211.48 million, pushing the total cost to Sh600 million.
