CORD and Jubilee MCAs in Nairobi clash over plagiarism of law

Nairobi MCAs at a past session. Opposition and Jubilee members of the county assembly were Wednesday engaged in a war of words with each side accusing the other of plagiarising the controversial Plastics and Paper Bags Bill of 2016. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

NAIROBI: Opposition and Jubilee members of the county assembly were Wednesday engaged in a war of words with each side accusing the other of plagiarising the controversial Plastics and Paper Bags Bill of 2016.

Members affiliated to the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) were rooting for the withdrawal of the bill that had been tabled by Umoja One ward representative George Maina, claiming he had sneaked it in despite being authored by their counterpart, Kayole South rep Elizabeth Manyala.

In what seemed like a duel over bragging rights, both members went at each other’s' neck, claiming to be the authors of the bill.

The bill seeks to introduce levies on manufacturers of plastic bottles, bags and any other plastic contaminators in a bid to rid the use of the same in the county. It's also meant to reduce environmental degradation.

"Mr Speaker, before we proceed with the debate I would like to bring to the house’s attention that the issue of plagiarism will not be taken lightly. I had already informed the speaker and the tape office that I was working on the bill. When I fell ill, G Maina took it and assumed it was his," said Manyala.

The bill had originally been tabled by minority leader Abdi Guyo in 2014 but withdrawn due to unclear circumstances. According to standing orders, a time frame of six months is supposed to be observed before a bill is re-introduced.

Manyala insisted that Maina had been calling her so that they could co-author the bill before she got ill and only came back to find the bill had been tabled.

"Tape office had been calling me so that we could schedule on a date to slot in the bill while I was away on sick leave, only to come back and find hon. Maina had tabled it," added Manyala.
However, the Maina Umoja Ward rep denied the claims, citing that he had followed the due process before re-tabling the bill.

"I suspect that there's someone trying to stop this bill from being approved because why wait until the second reading to raise such a concern?" sought Maina.

The Umoja rep reiterated that he only took up the bill after Guyo withdrew it and made amendments then re-introduced it as per the laid down procedures.

"We had conducted a stake holder's forum with NEEMA and factories and agreed on the details in the bill. Being the mover, I will not withdraw the bill!" said Maina.
Deputy Speaker, Ken Ngondi who was chairing the session, said that the bill was already property of the County Assembly and allowed for its second reading.

"Honourable Manyala, there are rules and procedures to be followed. You cannot come and verbally say that the bill be withdrawn. File a petition to the clerk but the bill is already in the second reading making it property of the assembly," concluded the deputy speaker.