How Much MPs Elected To EALA Will Earn

Winnie Odinga, Hassan Omar, Kalonzo Kennedy Musyoka and David Ole Sankok were among the nine representatives elected to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Thursday, November 17.

The quartet were among nine Kenyan representatives elected to the Parliament based in Arusha, Tanzania by both the Senate and National Assembly. The nine include five from the Kenya Kwanza coalition and four from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

Kenya Kwanza, under President William Ruto, will be represented by Hassan Omar, Zipporah Kering, David Ole Sankok, Mwangi Godfrey Maina and Falhadha Iman.

For Azimio, Kalonzo Kennedy Musyoka, Winnie Odinga, Kanini Kega, and Suleiman Shabal will represent the Raila Odinga-led coalition.

Viral Tea takes a look at the perks and benefits that come with securing the seats which have since drawn huge interest and attention that featured intense campaigns by the MPs:

What new EALA MPs will get

The MPs will earn juicy allowances and perks just like any other Member of Parliament sitting in the National Assembly and legislator in the Senate. However, their gross salary is slightly above that of the average MP.

EALA MPs will earn a monthly gross salary of Ksh1.4 million, which includes their allowances. In comparison, Kenyan MPs earn about Ksh1 million.

These perks are considered competitive as EALA MPs are mandated for legislation, oversight and representation.

In addition, the nine EALA MPs are also provided with a state vehicle to ease their movement. 

During the course of their term, they will also visit the EALA member countries while additional allowances will be provided to facilitate their travels in the member countries.

There is a catch; each member state is required to make a contribution upwards of Ksh840 million per EALA guidelines to facilitate their operations. EALA has a total of 45 members indirectly elected for a five-year term by their respective National Assemblies, with each country producing at least nine.

What Is EALA?

EALA is an organ of the East African Community; established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The Treaty establishing the East African Community was signed on November 30, 1999, and entered into force on July 7, 2000, by the Partner States of The Republic of Uganda, The Republic of Kenya; and the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda acceded to the Treaty on June 18, 2007, and became full members on July 1, 2007, while the Republic of South Sudan joined on April 16, 2016, and became a full member on September 5, 2016, thus expanding the number of the Community Partner States to six.

The Assembly has a cardinal function in the furtherance of Community objectives; this function encompasses the legislative, representative and oversight mandate.  Article 49 of the Treaty stipulates that the Assembly shall:

1. be the legislative organ of the Community;
2. liaise with the National Assemblies of the Partner States on matters relating to the Community;
3. debate and approve the budget of the Community;
4. consider annual reports on the activities of the Community, annual audit reports of the Audit Commission and any other reports referred to it by the Council;
5. discuss all matters pertaining to the Community and make recommendations to the Council as it may deem necessary for the implementation of the Treaty;
6. may for purposes of carrying out its functions, establish any committee or committees for such purposes as it deems necessary;
7. recommend to the Council the appointment of the Clerk and other officers of the Assembly; and
8. make its rules of procedure and those of its committees.