MPs meet to approve EACC nominee Twalib Mbarak

EACC CEO nominee Twalib Mbarak during his vetting before the National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Friday 14/12/2018. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Members of the National Assembly will have a special sitting to consider the nomination of Twalib Mbarak as the anti-graft agency chief.

The MPs are expected to ratify Twalib’s name after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee vetted him and unanimously approved his nomination for the position.

Members who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the committee, chaired by Baringo North MP William Cheptumo, approved his nomination because of his vast expertise and knowledge on how to fight corruption.

“We have approved his nomination and tomorrow (today) we will table our final report,” said a member of the committee.

The move by the committee follows last Friday's vetting of Twalib after Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Eliud Wabukala submitted his name to Speaker Justin Muturi.

Graft lords warned

During the vetting exercise, Twalib warned the lords of graft to change their ways or be ready for the consequences, in strict compliance with the law.

According to the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011, the House has 14 days to either approve or reject the nominee on the day following the publication of a notice in the dailies.

The 14 days were split in to two; seven for the submission of memorandum to the committee and the balance for approval hearings and consideration of the committee’s report by the House.

Twalib was among 14 candidates shortlisted for the position by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

He will be seeking to replace outgoing CEO Halakhe Waqo, whose term ends in January next year after serving six years.

Twalib is a former military and intelligence officer.