The National Assembly has dismissed as false, inaccurate, and sensational allegations that MPs mismanaged allowances intended for their bodyguards and drivers.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, said the claims-attributed to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula in an article in one of the dailies are untrue and a fabrication.
“At the outset, we wish to note that the allegations are false, inaccurate, and sensational. The statement attributed to Speaker of the National Assembly is entirely untrue and a fictitious creation of the author of the publication,” reads the statement.
Njoroge explained that the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024, resulted in significant budget cuts for Parliament.
He said the reductions affected various allocations, including foreign and domestic travel, the purchase of equipment, hospitality, and constituency office budgets, which previously included allowances for bodyguards and drivers.
“In the current Financial Year, 2024-25, funds have not been allocated in the National Assembly's budget for the said allowances. The allowances are therefore not available as alleged in the misguided newspaper article, a fact that MPs and their bodyguards and drivers have been duly informed of,” the Clerk stated.
He emphasised that since these funds do not exist in the current budget, it is impossible for MPs to misappropriate them.
Njoroge also highlighted that, historically, allowances for bodyguards and drivers were provided under the Parliamentary Service Commission's policy to facilitate official duties.
However, during this period, no formal complaints had been received regarding the denial or misuse of such allowances.
“The issue of allowances for bodyguards and drivers was not an agenda item at the recently concluded National Assembly Leadership Retreat held from October 27 to 30, 2024, in Nakuru County,” he noted.
The clerk said the author of the article should have verified facts before publication.
“Had the author sought prior clarification, the facts would have been readily provided. We urge the particular author to strive for objectivity in reporting, seek clarification from relevant offices, and avoid making unfounded allegations or alarming reports about Parliament and its Members,” he concluded.