Deputy Speaker Chiwaya denies rental accusations

Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr Clement Chiwaya has reacted angrily to accusations levelled against him and first deputy speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje that he benefitted from unlawful rentals paid to him.

Chiwaya has described the accusations as unfair and meant to tarnish the image of the two deputy speakers.

Speaking to his political supporters at his residence in Mangochi, Chiwaya said he is in the process of buying the house that he is staying in and that payment for the same was not yet completed.

Chiwaya, who produced his Conditions of service, indicated that facts peddled in the Weekend Nation newspaper were “entirely erroneous” in that the conditions of service for the two deputy speakers are clear on what is entitled to the them as approved by the Parliamentary Service Commission.

Said Chiwaya: “Section 5.1.1 under Housing and Furniture, the conditions state that: The Government shall provide standard housing at the duty station. In 5.1.2 the conditions of service further state that: Where government is unable to provide such standard housing, it shall provide housing accommodation per month as stipulated in appendix 1. In rental value, subject to Government valuation.

“Finally in Section 5.1.2 Where the Deputy speaker opts to occupy his or her own house, government shall pay allowance as stipulated in appendix 1. That allowance is Currently at K550 000. In view of the above no Deputy Speaker ever got more than what she or he is entitled because whether you are in your own house or you are paid an allowance the amount is K550 000 per month. The conditions of service were submitted to us the two deputy speakers through a memo from the Clerk of Parliament.”

He noted that one thing is clear that either the person providing the information is “ disgruntled or has a sinister motive”.

The paper on Saturday reported that first deputy speaker Esther Mcheka-Chilenje and second deputy speaker Clement Chiwaya each is alleged to be drawing K550,000 per month which is K300,000 more than their required K250,000 per month allowance.

According to the publication, the two cheated the government that they rent the houses they stay in from elsewhere so that each could be carting home K 550,000 every month in housing allowances.

Mcheka-Chilenje also said she was dismayed with the report.

The deputy speaker said she was in Kenya on official duties and that she will grant interview on return.

But she denied any wrong doing.

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