Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Khalwale told to show MP bribery evidence



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THE Commission on Administrative Justice has written to Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale demanding for evidence that MPs received bribes. The Commission took over the functions of the Ombudsman after the implementation of the new constitution in 2010. Khalwale alleged two weeks ago that MPs were paid to reject a report by a parliamentary committee that wanted Transport minister Amos Kimunya and Central Bank Governor Njuguna Ndung’u to be removed from office over the De La Rue money printing deal.
“The commission considers the allegations serious since such acts if true not only contravene the constitution but also demean the offices held by the MPs. In particular such acts expressly amount to irresponsibility and misbehavior in public administration,” the letter signed by Otiende reads.
The letter is copied to Speaker of National Assembly Kenneth Marende and Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission acting CEO Jane Muthaura. The commission has a quasi-judicial mandate to deal with maladministration and ensure compliance with leadership, integrity and ethics requirements by public officers under Article 59 (4) of the constitution.
The commission has powers to conduct investigations after receiving complaints from the members of the public or through its own initiatives. The commission has asked for more details on a claim that Khalwale was approached by a cabinet minister with Sh10 million to save Kimunya and Ndung’u.
“By means of this letter, we request you to confirm the veracity of the allegations as reported in the media and revert to this office soonest,” Otiende stated. MPs last week reacted with fury to reports that they received bribes of as little as Shs20,000 to shoot down the Public Accounts Committee report that wanted Kimunya and the CBK boss removed from office over De La Rue deal.
The MPs demanded that Khalwale, who chairs PAC, to provide evidence or be punished. They said Parliament, the MPs and the Speaker are now seen as corrupt. Khalwale was quoted in the media claiming that MPs took bribes of between Sh20,000 and Sh30,000 to shoot down the report.
The PAC report alleged government lost of Sh1.8 billion in the extra cost of printing currency with De La Rue. Speaker Kenneth Marende has since referred the matter to the Powers and Privileges Committee for investigation. Marende said the committee has powers to deal with errant MPs including stopping their remunerations and benefits.

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