AG’s rural neighbours come out in his defence

By Roselyne Obala and Beauttah Omanga

Residents of Busia took to the streets to defend Attorney General Amos Wako against accusations that he is anti-reform.

Mr Wako got backing from his rural home with demonstrators insisting the Government’s long-serving legal advisor is not a stumbling block in the quest for a new constitution.

The demonstrators were drawn from Nambale, Matayos, Bumala and Busia. Waving twigs and placards, they said the AG should not be seen as the force behind slow pace of reforms.

"The setback is not Wako but the current Constitution. Once, we get a new constitution majors reforms will be realised," said Jackson Oduori, a resident, ading Wako should not resign.

Meanwhile, the civil society has called for urgent reforms in the State Law Office.

Officials from Kituo Cha Sheria, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Transparency International (TI) said there was need for minimum reforms to restore order in the judicial system.

Public defender office

Among the changes the groups want include establishment of a national public defender office, and a new-look anti corruption authority.

"We have heard enough of reports by various task forces and time has come to move to implementation stage," said Kituo Cha Sheria Executive Director Priscilla Nyokabi.

The officials, however, disagreed with Garsen MP Danson Mungatana on how best to reform the anti-graft body in a Bill he intends to table in Parliament soon.

LSK Secretary Apollo Mboya, Human Rights Lawyer Harun Ndubi and Ms Nyokabi said it would be wrong if Parliament passes the Mungatana Bill, which seeks to place KACC under the AG’s office.

Mr Apollo said the State Law Office, where he once worked, would not entirely be relied on for justice. Mboya claimed the office had elements that are always frustrating reforms.

"There is a gang at the State Law Office. It is that gang that always blocks reforms," claimed Apollo.

 

 

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