Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, has taken a significant step by reaching out to various anti-corruption agencies within the government, urging them to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial activities of Parliament. In his communication addressed to bodies such as the Inspectorate of Government, the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), and the Office of the Auditor General, Ssenyonyi has specifically called for scrutiny of the Speaker and Clerk to Parliament.
The primary concern raised by Ssenyonyi revolves around allegations of misappropriation of public funds for personal gain. He has highlighted instances where significant sums of money from public coffers were purportedly utilized improperly. For instance, Ssenyonyi questions the legitimacy of per diem payments amounting to 2.6 billion Shillings made to the Speaker, Anita Among, for foreign trips that allegedly never occurred. Similarly, he points out irregularities in payments made to the Clerk to Parliament, alleging that self-allocated allowances for overseas trips were involved.
According to Ssenyonyi, there are further concerns regarding staffing issues within Parliament, with allegations of irregular hiring practices and untraceable staff members on the payroll. These discrepancies were reportedly flagged in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 2023, further underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation.
Moreover, Ssenyonyi has brought attention to specific instances of substantial financial transactions, such as the disbursement of service awards and allocations to certain personnel within the Speaker’s office. Additionally, he has raised questions about the awarding of contracts, including a multi-billion Shilling agreement with a radio station owned by the Speaker.
Despite these allegations, Chris Obore, the Parliament Spokesperson, has dismissed them as mere rumors and political tactics aimed at tarnishing the Speaker’s reputation. Obore has defended the legality of contracts awarded by Parliament, including those involving the Speaker’s radio station.
The matter has escalated further, with Ssenyonyi’s efforts to address the allegations internally within Parliament being met with delays and resistance. While the Speaker initially deferred discussions on the issue to a later date, attempts by opposition MPs to raise the matter during a plenary sitting were rebuffed. The Speaker subsequently referred the matter exclusively to the Parliamentary Commission, which she chairs.
In recent weeks, various stakeholders, including digital activists and media personalities, have intensified calls for transparency and accountability within Parliament. Through social media platforms and public discourse, they have rallied for greater scrutiny of parliamentary expenditures and fiscal management practices.
In light of these developments, Ssenyonyi’s initiative represents a significant push towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public funds within the legislative body.
