Claims of extortion at the heart of parallel probes by MPs

National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri (right) and his deputy Abigael Mukolwe when they appeared before the Senate last week. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Claims of extortion and a scheme to make more money in allowances are being cited as the motive behind parallel investigations by parliamentary committees.

Rival National Assembly and Senate committees are said to be working at cross-purposes on at least four investigations, raising protests from House leaders about wasting of public funds.