Kenya will be spending Sh400 million to send members of parliament, senate and parliamentary staffers for the parliamentary games in Burundi, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has said.
There will be a “lean” team of 320 members already in Bujumbura for the 10 day tournament that Rwanda sought out of because they had commitments till Tuesday.
“We regret to inform you that the parliament of Rwanda will not be able to participate in the 2018 EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games. Any inconveniences caused are highly regretted,” read a letter from the Rwandan Parliament.
The Gatundu South legislator in a sarcastic tone asked the team to bring back the medals and make sure every cent counts.
“I have no doubts we will do well in such sports such as tug of war where our contingent is particularly large and strong. Bring the medals home, guys. Make every penny of the Ksh400 Million expenditure count. Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi must know people,” he said on Facebook.
In an economy whose debt is through the roof, Kenyans were displeased with this particular piece of information. They said:
Read: Burundi Launches $25 Million National Fibre-Optic Project
But according to the Burundi EAC minister Isabelle Ndahayo, the games are meant to bring all parliaments together.
They will also give the parliamentarians a clear image of Burundi, “which is peaceful and Burundians are happy to see and host their brothers and sisters, and it also means support from EAC citizens”.
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