Members of the press outside Integrity Centre, the headquarters of the
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, on January 13, 2014. PHOTO |
BILLY MUTAI |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
The National Assembly has deferred debate on amendments that
will see its members suspended from office with a half salary if charged
with corruption or any other economic crime.
The
changes to the anti-corruption and economic crimes laws came from
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who sent a memorandum to the House for
consideration.
MPs claimed that they were ambushed by
the President’s memorandum containing the amendments proposed to the
anti-corruption, economic crimes, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission Act, the Legal Education Act and General Provisions Act.
They refused to proceed with the debate to allow MPs to scrutinise it.
CONTENTION
Of particular contention are the proposed amendments to the anti-corruption and economic crimes law.
The
Bill proposes to amend the section by deleting the existing provision,
which says a public officer who is charged with corruption or economic
crime shall be suspended, at half pay, with effect from the date of the
charge.
It proposes substitution with a new
sub-section reading that a public officer or State officer with
executive responsibility who is charged with corruption or economic
crimes shall be suspended at half pay.
This should take
effect from the date of the charge until the conclusion of the case,
provided that the case shall be determined within 24 months.
President
Kenyatta, however, says the amendment can be construed to be
discriminatory against public officers with executive responsibility and
recommends it be deleted.
Deputy Minority Whip Chris Wamalwa said removing the word executive would bring in MPs and other elected leaders.
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