Nairobi — Parliament's budget for the next financial year has been slashed by Sh1 billion, Speaker Kenneth Marende said on Wednesday. As a result, the House will rely on financial assistance from donors to service its operations, said Mr Marende.

"Parliament's budget has been reduced by over Sh1 billion by the Finance ministry and we will now have to rely on friends like this (the American government) to assist us," he said.

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) had asked for Sh8 billion to run Parliament for the 2009/2010 financial year.

Among the projects the legislative assembly hopes to implement are the construction of a new office complex, and a pedestrian footpath linking parliament to the MPs' offices at Continental House and County Hall, which houses Parliamentary Service Commission 's offices.

Parliament also hopes to construct a new residential house for the speaker and a state-of-the-art media centre besides creating more offices at Parliament.

Reform agenda

Mr Marende thanked the US government and its aid agencies for playing a leading role in ensuring that Parliament achieved its reform agenda by funding the equipping of the Prime Minister's office, Parliament's media centre and the review of the standing orders.

He announced that the proposed office complex will be completed within one-and-a-half years. Mr Marende was speaking as he received computer equipment for the Prime Minister's office from US ambassador Michael Ranneberger at Parliament buildings on Wednesday.

The envoy also handed over broadcasting equipment to be used to air Parliament's proceedings live across the country.