TI: House rushed through Ethics bill

Written By:Rufus Hunja,    Posted: Wed, Aug 24, 2011

TI and CMD claim the haste of Parliament has denied the public a chance to make substantial recommendations to the crucial bill Stakeholders in the Anti corruption movement have expressed their displeasure with the way the Ethics and Anti Corruption Bill passed through was rushed through Parliament Tuesday. They claim the haste of Parliament has denied the public a chance to make substantial recommendations to the bill. Transparency International Director Samuel Kimeu says the proposed bill vests prosecution powers with the Director of Prosecution, adding that the commission should be strengthened to enable it to carry its mandate. The concerns comes barely a day after the bill went through the first and second reading concurrently in Parliament, a move adopted by the House to beat the Friday deadline as part of the requirements of the Constitution. While expressing their concerns, Transparency International jointly with Center for Multi-Party Democracy representatives said the public has been gagged and MPs denied ample time to scrutinize and digest the bill to better fertilize it Kimeu says clause 4 of the bill provides for 9 commissioners but recommended that they be reduced to five as a way of cutting down cost. His sentiments were echoed by Center for Multi-Party Democracy chairman Justin Muturi who said the fight against corruption cannot be won if the powers of the commission are watered down. Both organizations are unanimous on the need vet afresh all the staff of the organization after a transition has taken place. They advised that the law be amended to put more emphasis on assets recovery rather than individual prosecution saying this will enable the government recover assets that may have been transferred to different individuals.