House now summons Dominion boss to explain graft claims against MPs
Mr Calvin Burgess, CEO, Dominion Farms addressing a Press conference. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI
Parliament has summoned director of Dominion Farms Calvin Burgess to shed light on corruption allegations he has levelled against MPs from Siaya County.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi ordered the chairman of the Land Committee Alex Mwiru to invoke provisions of Article 125 to compel the appearance of Mr Burgess who snubbed invitations to appear before the House team on Wednesday and instead chose to address the media where he accused MPs of demanding bribes from the rice farm.
The directive followed complaints by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda who drew the attention of the House to the refusal by Mr Burgess to appear before the committee to respond to issues raised by residents of Yala Swamp through a petition to the House.
Mr Ochanda tabled a nine-page document authored by Mr Burgess, which alleges instances of extortion from MPs and top Siaya county leaders.
Mr Burgess had been invited to respond to issues regarding the displacement of locals who have been forced out of their farms in the reclamation of Yala Swamp and riparian area.
Mr Caleb Omondi Obonyo and 200 others had petitioned the House alleging that they were displaced from their land by the artificial change of course of River Yala and subsequent development activities of the Lake Basin Development Authority and the Dominion Farms Limited, a private developer.
They prayed that the National Assembly, through the departmental committee on lands, recommends relocation of the inhabitants to their ancestral land held in trust and expedite individual land tenure arrangements.
They also wanted the committee to intervene in ascertaining the exact lease acreage and land sizes of each of the investing entities including Dominion Farms.
On Thursday, Mr Muturi said no person should be allowed to write letters to committees informing Parliament that matters under their deliberations are in court and therefore subjudice.
“I dare say that this House must exercise Article 125 of the Constitution. This House can summon people to appear even in this plenary. They can’t start writing letters, but appear in person to give reasons why they think it is wrong for them to be summoned. The committee should resolve to summon him “Mr Burgess and swear them to give evidence on oath,” Mr Muturi directed.
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo said the issue of Mr Burgess is a case of somebody who leaves in a glass house and throws stones.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
