National Assembly Denies Misuse of Allowances

Misappropriated Allowances and Budget Cuts

The National Assembly has strongly refuted recent allegations suggesting that Members of Parliament (MPs) have been misappropriating allowances intended for their bodyguards and drivers. This response follows a report published by a local media outlet, which claimed that Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had criticized MPs during a retreat in Nakuru. According to the report, Wetang’ula urged the MPs to put an end to the alleged practice of misusing these allowances.

In a detailed statement issued on November 26, 2024, the National Assembly Clerk dismissed the allegations as false, inaccurate, and sensational. The clerk clarified that the allowances in question were not included in the National Assembly’s budget for the 2024/2025 financial year. This, he explained, was due to significant funding cuts that followed the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. Because these allowances had not been factored into the current budget, it was impossible for any Member of Parliament to misappropriate funds that did not exist in the first place.

The clerk also emphasized that the recent budget reductions had affected several key allocations, including foreign and domestic travel, the purchase of equipment, hospitality, and constituency office funds. These cuts were a result of the broader financial constraints that followed the failure to pass the Finance Bill.

Turning to past practices, it was confirmed that allowances for bodyguards and drivers had previously been provided to facilitate MPs in carrying out their official duties. However, it was made clear that no formal complaints had been made regarding the denial or misuse of these allowances in the past. No reports or concerns had been raised by MPs about any issues related to these allowances.

The statement also debunked claims that the issue of allowances was discussed during the retreat in Nakuru, which took place between October 27 and 30, 2024.According to the National Assembly Clerk, the matter of bodyguard and driver allowances was not on the agenda during the retreat. The retreat focused on other important issues, and no discussions took place regarding the alleged misappropriation of allowances.

The National Assembly concluded by urging journalists and media outlets to seek clarifications before publishing potentially misleading or inaccurate stories. The clerk specifically criticized the report’s author for creating a false narrative and misleading the public. He stressed the importance of responsible journalism and encouraged reporters to verify their facts before making claims that could harm the reputation of public institutions.