Parliamentary committees rocked by blackmail storm

By David Ochami and Peter Opiyo

The credibility of Parliament is again under the microscope after allegations that departmental committees are demanding bribes to clear ministries of corruption charges.

Allegations against departmental committees exploded into the open following Thursday’s sensational claims by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula that the Foreign Relations and Defence Committee had tried to extort money from him.

Gwasi MP John Mbadi, who sits in the Public Investment Committee, is equally worried: "Perhaps we need the intervention of the Speaker if there is concrete evidence on such claims."

Wetang’ula stunned many when he alleged that an unnamed member of the committee had demanded Sh100 million to stop a probe on how the ministry spent money allocated from

the Exchequer to buy property for the Kenyan embassy in Tokyo.

Despite being in breach of Parliament Standing Orders, the minister chose the avenue of a press conference to make public his allegations.

Audit firms and experts have also questioned the tactics used by the Agriculture Committee, including its attempts to de-list the Mumias Sugar Company from the Nairobi Stock Exchange and practice of summoning private firms to testify.

The Efficiency Monitoring Unit at the Prime Minister’s office and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission are said to be investigating the events leading to the purchase of property in Japan to ascertain if relevant procurement regulations were followed.

But the minister argues the committee did not record in the Hansard the ‘adverse’ evidence adduced against him following its investigation into the purchase.

Early this year, Transparency International questioned the propriety and cost of trips made by committee members to foreign destinations and the intrinsic, practical worth and fate of reports generated by Parliament.

Adverse evidence

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and several ministers have also claimed the committees either operate outside parliamentary Standing Orders or have been manipulated into becoming ‘tools for hire’ without regard to ethics and general good for the country.

Ministers have also claimed the quality of committee reports has deteriorated leading to their rejection after debate in the chamber.

Raila alleged some committees have converted their mandates into a witch-hunt of ministers and public officials and stalled public procurement.

During a consultative meeting held in Nairobi in December last year, Cabinet ministers John Michuki (Environment) and Amos Kimunya (Trade) supported the PM by equating the committees to a "bloodhounds" and questioned the quality of their reports.

Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi also accused House committees of resorting to "investigative activism" with a primary motive of fixing the Executive instead of advising the Government on policy and generating legislation.

But Kinangop MP David Ngugi says the accusations are unfounded and alleged they are a prelude to moves to emasculate Parliament.

Some MPs have expressed anger at the allegations, claiming this could be a scheme by the Executive to intimidate Parliament and derail its oversight role.

"The minister needs to come out more clearly so that committees are not seen to be guilty as charged," said Mbadi, who was among the first MPs to react to the Wetang’ula’s claims.

Foreign Relations and Defence Committee Chairman Aden Keynan also demanded evidence that the committee was blackmailing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

And National Assembly Clerk Patrick Gichohi said the minister has not brought the issue of extortion to his attention.

"If Wetang’ula has information he should give it to the Speaker because we believe members have been working within the Standing Orders," said Gichohi.

Budget Committee Chairman Elias Mbau said he was yet to come across instances of extortion and challenged the minister to name the member who approached him.

The minister has had frosty relations with the committee over the mysterious purchase of arms by Southern Sudan in which Kenya is believed to have played a secret role.

The committee, which oversees his docket, also wants to investigate the minister’s role in the signing of six agreements with foreign governments to prosecute Somali pirates in Kenyan courts.

Attorney General Amos Wako said the minister signed agreements unilaterally.

But Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet defends House committees against blackmail accusations.

And Public Accounts Committee Chairman Bonny Khalwale feels Wetang’ula’s claims ought to be investigated to defend the integrity of Parliament and its committees.