MPs want special session after claims they looted billions

Members of Parliament are liaising with the National Assembly Speaker’s office to call an emergency sitting to discuss claims that they looted Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Speaking on the sidelines of the East African Legislative Assembly Games in Mombasa County on Sunday, the angry MPs accused a local weekly of tarnishing their reputations by making the allegations.

The newspaper reported that 273 lawmakers looted Sh4 billion through false claims and ghost projects in the 2013/2014 financial year.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega said the lawmakers were in contact with the Speaker’s office in a bid to have the extraordinary sitting.

“This issue has come when we are on recess until February next year but members can impress upon the Speaker the need to summon the House for a special sitting to discuss matters of urgency in the country.”

Mr Kega said the claim that he had looted Sh21.4 million from the public had tarnished his name, prompting him to instruct his lawyers to take action against the media house.

“I was shocked after I was cited as one of the 273 MPs who stole billions of shillings from public coffers,” he said.

The story was published on Sunday.

The MP accused the media house of publishing reports without observing the crucial media principles of objectivity and accuracy. He described the report as malicious.

“Why are they reporting now, when we are on recess until February next year?” he asked.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma asked journalists to familiarise themselves with the law, adding that MPs were no longer running the CDF.

“The CDF is run by a committee appointed by the sub-county deputy commissioner and a manager representing the national government,” he said.