Parliament Special Account proposal submitted to Cabinet

To solidify the institutional independence of the Legislature, the Parliamentary Service has submitted a strategic proposal to Cabinet for the establishment of a Parliament Special Account.

This is according to the Parliament first-quarter performance report for the months of April to June, which was tabled in the House of Assembly last week.

According to the report, the initiative is designed to address evolving financial requirements and streamline the management of external resources.

The proposal, according to Parliament, is primarily driven by the need to harmonise Parliament’s financial systems with the diverse requirements of international development partners.

“Current funding and policy frameworks of several key partners do not permit the disbursement of resources through the Consolidated Fund. Under the existing structure, these restrictions have created significant operational bottlenecks, hindering the timely and effective execution of critical programmes, technical assistance and capacity-building projects intended for the Parliament and the Parliamentary Service,” reads the report.

It was stated that the establishment of the account was firmly anchored in the Parliamentary Service Act No. 6 of 2015.

The report states that the legislation mandated the autonomy and operational integrity of the Parliamentary Service, empowering the institution to manage its affairs independently.

It was reported that the proposal had undergone rigorous consultation with key stakeholders, including the Parliamentary Service Board (PSB), the Joint House Committee, Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s Office.

It was revealed that all those consulted had expressed support for the establishment of a special account, recognising its importance for strengthening Parliament’s institutional capacity and fostering international cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Privileges (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which represents a key legislative effort aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing the functions, immunities and responsibilities of Members of Parliament, is also under review.

This initiative reflects Parliament’s commitment to maintaining accountability while preserving the integrity of the legislative arm of government.

Parliament undertook a robust consultative process in the development of the Amendment Bill, with particular emphasis on legal scrutiny and constitutional alignment.

A cornerstone of this process was the extensive engagement with the Office of the Attorney General, which provided legal guidance to ensure the provisions of the amendment were consistent with the Constitution, aligned with regional and international legislative standards and clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity and uphold the rule of law.