EACC: Tribunal probing Matemu and Keino sworn in, to deliver report in 60 days

The tribunal appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to probe Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials will deliver its report within 60 days.

The four member probe team chaired by retired High Court judge Jonathan Bowen Havelock was sworn in yesterday by Chief justice Dr Willy Mutunga, and promised to complete its work as fast as possible.

Speaking after being sworn in, Justice Havelock acknowledged that there were dark clouds surrounding EACC Chairman Mumo Matemu and Vice Chairperson Irene Keino leadership in the anti-graft body.

He said there was need to clear doubts in the public on the watchdog's operations.

Justice Havelock said, "We must complete investigations as fast as possible and present the report to the President. We are aware of the task ahead of us and we will be done away with it soonest."

There have been anxieties that the absence of Mr Matemu and Ms Keino could hinder the progress of ongoing investigations by the commission but the claims have been refuted on several occasions.

Attorney General Githu Muigai, who was also in the event yesterday had on Tuesday reiterated that there would be no effect in EACC by the temporary exit of the two commissioners, a stand that had been raised to the otherwise by Constitution Implementation Commission( CIC) which held that some of operations would not be carried out without full membership.

The other members in the team are Issa Mansur, Margaret Shava, and Juster Nkoroi.

The Constitution states that the tribunal must be chaired by a person who holds, or has held the office of a judge of a superior court.

It further reads that the other members must be at least two persons qualified to be appointed as High Court judges, and another qualified to assess the facts in the petition that led to the suspension.

President Kenyatta will have 30 days to react on the findings of the tribunal. However, the two commissioners will continue to receive half their salaries and benefits during the period they are suspended.

Justice Havelock noted that the team will receive information held by the August House and EACC over the two officials for scrutiny and will also have to question them before preparing the final report.

"The time to finish investigations will be determined by how fast we receive the reports from Parliament and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission," he noted.

Mr Matemu and Ms Keino were suspended after Members of Parliament approved a report by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee citing there were possibilities that the body could not fight corruption.

The report accused the anti-graft team of conflict of interest.