Parliament Explains Ex-gratia Payment

Parliament says attention has been drawn to some distortions and misrepresentation in a section of the media regarding the payment of ex gratia to members of the fifth Parliament. A statement issued by the Parliamentary Service says, though Members of Parliament (MPs) have received some payment effected in accordance with requirements under Article 71 of the Constitution, the payments did not cover only ex gratia. According to the statement payments received also include salary arrears and other statutory payment. �Parliament wishes to further state that although these payments have been due as far back as 2009, they were never paid in bulk.� The statement further explained that the payments were received in four tranches, the first installment being in November 2012. The statement said Parliament therefore wishes to state these facts in the hope that, it will appropriately guide ongoing discussions.