By CAROLINE WAFULA cwafula@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, December 14 2011 at 22:00
Posted Wednesday, December 14 2011 at 22:00
IN SUMMARY
- Chances of Matemu, Keino and Onsongo heading anti-graft body dealt a blow and goes to a vote on the floor
The search for the new anti-corruption commission is likely to be delayed further after a parliamentary committee rejected three nominees proposed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The committee on Justice and Legal Affairs concluded that the three, Mr Mumo Matemu, Prof Jane Kerubo Onsongo and Ms Irene Cheptoo Keino were “not passionate enough about the fight against corruption”.
The nominees will now await a vote by the full House to know their fate.
The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament interviewed Mr Mumo Matemu, Prof Jane Kerubo Onsongo and Ms Irene Cheptoo Keino on Wednesday morning and made a conclusion that they were not the right people to steer the country’s fight against corruption.
“The nominees did not demonstrate sufficient interest in the fight against corruption,” the team concluded in the report tabled by its vice-chairman Mr Njoroge Baiya.
The committee, which has resumed its operations after many months of inactivity, proceeded to make a recommendation to Parliament to reject their nomination citing lack of passion, initiative and drive to lead the fight against corruption in the country.
The three were nominated by President Kibaki in consultation with Mr Odinga and their names forwarded to Parliament for consideration for appointment. (READ: Kibaki, Raila pick Matemu new graft boss)
After interviewing them on Wednesday, the parliamentary committee noted that the Executive failed to include details of the criteria used to bypass what the MPs thought were the best candidates.
The members said future nominations should be accompanied by reports outlining the standards used.
The team concluded that all the nominees had excellent careers with excellent academic qualifications but would be misplaced if appointed to lead the anti-corruption commission.
“Their qualifications could be relevant at other levels,” the team noted.
Parliament will consider the committee’s report whose adoption would mean President Kibaki and the PM have to submit fresh nominees.
Mr Matemu, Prof Onsongo and Ms Keino were picked from a list of nine names that were short-listed and seven submitted to the President by the selection panel that interviewed 79 applicants.
The panel forwarded to the President the names of Mr Mumo, Mr Erick Okongo O’Mogeni and Dr Sarah Kilemi for consideration of a chairperson and the names of Prof Onsongo, Ms Keino, Mr Omolo and Mr Shaw for the two positions of members.
The Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Bill, 2011 states that where the nomination of a candidate is rejected by Parliament, the appointing authority may submit to the relevant committee of the House the name of another candidate for consideration.
In line with provisions of the Act, the Clerk of the National Assembly is required to notify the appointing authority of the decision of Parliament within seven days of the decision.
The committee recommends that the Executive submits fresh names for consideration and approval ‘based on experience and passion for the fight against corruption.’
Parliament is, however, yet to debate the report findings and recommendations but is likely to adopt the recommendations.
Ms Onsongo and Ms Keino are former employees of the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. They had been nominated for the positions of members to the new commission.
Mr Matemu, a former Commissioner of Legal Affairs and Support Services at the Kenya Revenue Authority, had been nominated for the position of chairman in the new commission.
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