Speaker Ndugai speaks on Tundu Lissu issues

Dodoma. National Assembly Speaker, Mr Job Ndugai, has explained why he has not visited Singida East MP Tundu Lissu who is admitted in hospital since early September this year.

Mr Ndugai spoke publicly and for the first time about criticism directed at Parliament over the manner in which his office has dealt with the matter surrounding Mr Lissu’s treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.

The MP escaped an attempted assassination on September 7^th when unknown people sprayed his car with at least 38 bullets, 16 of which hit him. He was seriously injured and was flown to Nairobi Hospital where he is still recuperating.

Lissu’s family and his party, Chadema, have all accused Parliament, and especially Mr Ndugai of neglecting the MP’s rights, including of payment of his medical bill.

Mr Ndugai has also faced queries why he was taking long to visit the injured MP in hospital, nearly four months now since his dramatic shooting in Dodoma.

The Speaker’s critics say he should have been among the first people to condole the MP and show solidarity as leader of the National Assembly.

 However on Friday, December 15, Mr Ndugai addressed a press conference during which he defended himself and appeared to tell off his critics.

He said the uncertainty that followed Kenya’s General Election in August, including the annulment of the Presidential election results by the country’s Supreme Court meant he could not freely travel to Kenya as Speaker of a foreign nation. He said his visit would not be like that of any ordinary MP or citizen.

“If I want to go, there must be special government and parliamentary clearance by the host country. It would have been awkward for me to be seen moving around Nairobi in the midst of the situation in which the country was,” said Mr Ndugai. He said he risked being accused of taking sides in Kenya’s post-election conflict should he have proceeded to visit Lissu then.  

 “As speaker, that was not a good time for me to visit…wisdom demanded otherwise,” said Mr Ndugai, adding that a delegation from Parliament led by MPs Mary Chatanda (Korogwe-Urban CCM) and Faharia Khamis Shomari (Special Seats-CCM) was sent to Nairobi to see Mr Lissu’s.

The speaker hinted he may visit the opposition MP after the coming Christmas and New Year festivities.

Lissu’s situation
Speaker Ndugai said he was silent over Lissu’s personal criticism of him because “exchanging words with a sick person is not good.”

On the family’s accusation that Parliament is yet to pay Lissu’s medical entitlement, Mr Ndugai said the delay was because there is a lot of documentation required between his office and the government. He suggested that because of the urgent manner in which Mr Lissu was flown out for specialized treatment, some procedures were breached and that they may have a bearing on the delay t work out his benefits.