House defers debate on anti-graft law

 

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

In Summary

• MPs claimed that they were ambushed by the President’s memorandum.
• They refused to proceed with the debate to allow MPs to scrutinise it.

By NATION REPORTER
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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.