Job Ndugai

The deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Job Ndugai, yesterday revealed that since the House started not a single lawmaker has claimed before it that they have evidence on issues alleged to have been commited by other MPs.

He was forced to stand and speak after noting that some MPs were misusing the Parliamentary Standing Orders to accuse others despite often given advice never to do so.

Last week John Mnyika (Ubungo, Chadema) accused Mwigulu Nchemba (Iramba West, CCM) that he is among the External Payment Arrears (EPA) scandal suspects of which Jenister Mhagama, who was chairing the session, ordered him to produce evidence of his claims within seven days.

Until yesterday morning the Speaker was not yet announced whether Mnyika had presented the proof or not.

On that basis made Nchemba to ask for speaker’s guidance on the issue.

Nchemba said during the debate on estimates for the President’s Office Mnyika accused him of being involved in the EPA accusations and that he was yet to produce proof of his assertions.

The Opposition Chief whip, Tundu Lissu (Singida, Chadema), intervened requesting guidance from the Speaker saying the issue happened last week and that recalling it today (yesterday was contrary to Standing Order no. 68(7).

Responding, the Deputy Speaker said the standing order had loopholes which needed amendments to specifically state the exact time of its application.

He stressed that since the House started no MP had claimed to have evidence on accusations against another had successfully proved so.

“As for Nchemba’s case, it is true Mnyika stood up that very day and claimed that the Singida East MP is one of the suspects of the EPA scandal. The writings which Mnyika has presented do not amount to actual evidences, but just writings. And because the seven days timeframe has elapsed, I am forwarding this issue to the Standing Committee on Justice, Disciplinary and Parliamentary Powers for action,” he said.

Ndugai said a letter will be addressed to Mnyika by the committee which will then work on the accusations and evidence that Nchemba, who was at the university that time, also was one of the suspects in the EPA, case.

But immediately after the morning session was wound up, Mnyika called a press conference said. “I am not the one who accused Nchemba with the EPAs scandal, but it is true that Mwigulu Nchemba is accused of several cases and majority of people know that the media had reported them.