The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has taken a decisive step by initiating an inquiry into financial irregularities at Parliament, following revelations of improper payments and expenditure discrepancies.
Ssenyonyi, while addressing the media on Thursday, disclosed that he has written to the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Auditor General, urging them to probe matters of financial impropriety within Parliament.
His concerns were sparked by an incident during a trip to Nairobi to visit the ailing Kawempe North MP, Hon Ssegirinya Muhammed where he discovered discrepancies in his per diem payment. Despite spending only a day in Nairobi, Ssenyonyi received payment for five days, amounting to 16 million shillings, prompting him to refund the excess amount to Parliament.
“I clearly stated my intention to stay for one night and promptly returned to fulfil my other commitments. However, I was surprised to find that funds were processed for five days, contrary to my plans,” he said.
He further states that he promptly submitted excess funds for reimbursement, anticipating their deduction from his March emoluments. However, facing delays in the process, he opted to reimburse the amount himself to expedite matters, disagreeing with deductions slated for April.
Furthermore, Ssenyonyi highlighted the issue of exorbitant payments made to the Speaker, totaling Shs2.6 billion over 146 days. He questioned the accuracy of these payments, asserting that there is no evidence to support the Speaker’s prolonged absence from Parliament.
Ssenyonyi criticized the Speaker for deflecting blame onto others and failing to be transparent and accountable with taxpayer funds. He emphasized the need for accountability and vowed to hold Parliament to a higher standard of financial integrity.
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