Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi is on spot for reportedly lying about the days for which he was paid per diem to visit ailing Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in Nairobi, at least according to documents shared by lawyer and activist Ivan Bwowe and government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo.
On January 31, 2024, Ssenyonyi wrote to Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among requesting for permission to travel to Nairobi Kenya.
“I and Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, the Chief Opposition Whip, are scheduled to travel to Nairobi, Kenya tomorrow 1st February 2024 to pay a courtesy call on Hon Muhammad Ssegirinya, Member of Parliament for Kawempe North who is hospitalized at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.
The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you and seek your permission to be away from 1st February to 5th February 2024.
Speaker Anita Among responded to the request filed under correspondence subject number AB/255/504/01 the same day, handwriting to clerk with the following instruction: “Pse [Please] facilitate from opposition budget.”
In a loose minute dated January 31 2024 addressed to the clerk to Parliament, the director of the office of the leader of opposition requested for facilitation for the trip to Nairobi under charge item 200100-1040300900-000014-227002. The trip, the director of the office of the leader of opposition in Parliament, would be undertaken by the LoP, the director of his office, and Nambeshe.
“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to request for your permission and facilitation in terms of per diem and air ticket to enable us travel from 1st February to 5th February 2024.
The details of the requested facilitation, as detailed in the letter shared by Bwowe and Opondo indicate per diem of $890 per day for five days ($4250) in all on top of a $900 business class air ticket. The director of the office of the leader of opposition in Parliament also requested $1,000 as ground transport fees.
The clerk to Parliament confirmed receipt of the letter on February 01 2024 and ordered the director of fiance to “facilitate the LoP and members of his delegation.”
Joel Ssenyonyi was yet to either deny or accept that he lied. But his social media supporters have pointed out the variances in the rate per day and the total amount of per diem – whether it is $850 or 890 per day.
“Let us do simple maths 5 X 850 = 4250 USD. As I said I am not responsible for the errors. I take the receipt as the final document. 4250 USD is a constant figure. That is what he received 4250 for five days USD? What is your argument btw [by the way]. He requisitioned. He received,” Bwowe defended the documents against claims that they were fake and doctored.
“Ssenyonyi has not denied receiving that money btw [by the way]. Simple guidance. Just argue the justification of the refund and how it makes him not a corrupt person. It is your best shot. He was caught pants down. Thank you.”
Days ago, in a shocking twist, Joel Ssenyonyi returned the money he had got for visiting Ssegirinya. He claimed he was supposed to get money for one day but had received per diem for five days. Activists such as lawyer Ivan Bwowe have demanded that Joel Ssenyonyi apologizes and resigns for false accounting and abuse of office. (See Details Here and There).
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