By BENJAMIN MUINDI, bmuindi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, August 25 2011 at 22:30
Posted Thursday, August 25 2011 at 22:30
IN SUMMARY
Functions of the AG:
- Principal legal advisor to the government
- Represents the national government in court or any legal proceedings.
- Perform any other functions conferred on the office by an Act of Parliament or by the President.
The nominee for the post of Attorney-General, Prof Githu Muigai on Thursday said he would pursue past corruption cases and scandals in which the government lost money if he was confirmed. (Read: Githu Muigai named as the new AG)
Prof Muigai said fighting corruption in the government, and reviewing outdated laws would top his priorities in the four-year stint at the State Law Office.
“So much money that could be feeding children or building hospitals has been lost in these cases,” he said.
Further, the law don told the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee he would not be a mouthpiece for politicians and would lead from the front as a legal adviser.
“There are many things my predecessor did that I would have done differently,” he told committee at County Hall when asked about his views on Mr Amos Wako’s two decades tenure at Sheria House.
Chairman Abdikadir Mohamed sought to know the relationship between the two, given that Mr Wako had earlier advised against Prof Muigai’s nomination.
“I did not take the issue as personal or wrongly. We both recognise the law and Mr Wako has served the country during very hard times,” he told the members.
“It is, however, important to maintain a healthy distance between public service and politics,” he added.
The two are set to work closely for a short transitional period.
Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro asked what Prof Muigai would advise the government on amending the new Constitution in cases as the provision on gender.
Prof Muigai said: “I would be hesitant to start amending the Constitution at this point. Let us give the Constitution sanctity otherwise we will start going back where we came from with the reform agenda.”
He pointed out to the members that provisions as the requirement that there should be no more than two thirds of either gender in Parliament could be achieved without amending the Constitution.
Prof Muigai was nominated early this week by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, alongside Ms Agnes Odhiambo for Controller of Budget and Mr Edward Ouko for Auditor-General positions.
The three nominees have since been vetted by various House committees and a report of each of them will be presented to Parliament for adoption or rejection.
Prof Muigai told oversight committee that his appointment was not politically-connected.
“I believe the two principals chose me on basis of my merit and suitability for the post and I am very grateful.”
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