Public Accounts Committee wants kin of deceased MP to pay debt

By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU

A promise given to the family of an MP who died in a plane crash in April 2006 – that the State will take care of his debts – has now been thrown out of the window.

MPs also resolved to ask the family to pay back Sh114,000 that the lawmaker owed the Parliamentary Service Commission at the time of his death.

The decision to pursue the family of the late Guracha Galgallo, a former MP for Moyale, was made at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in Nairobi’s Parliament Buildings.

According to the members of PAC, the promise was made when emotions were high, and now, they “have come to their senses”, so the family has to pay.

The late Galgallo owes the PSC the money that he took as imprest and never repaid.

The Secretary of the PSC Jeremiah Nyegenye told the MPs that the commission had made a decision to have the debt written off “on humanitarian grounds”, but when the Treasury was informed, it said public funds have to be paid back.

The PAC Vice Chairperson Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes) together with MP Sakwa Bunyasi (Nambale) said it was wrong for the MPs to agree with the PSC to have the debt written off, simply because, the deceased served in the august House.

“Your debts do not disappear when you die. It seems this is a clash between the law and culture. But these are public funds. If you die and you owe me money, I will attach your property,” said Bunyasi.