MPs split over bid to kick out EACC bosses

A recommendation by the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for the removal of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) commissioners has split the Opposition.

The committee's push for the formation of a tribunal to investigate the conduct of EACC Chairperson Mumo Matemu and Vice Chairperson Irene Keino has elicited varied reactions from Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) MPs. The other commissioner Jane Onsongo resigned under controversial circumstances.

ODM Chairman John Mbadi said it is high time the action was taken. "If it's true that the committee has recommended that the secretariat be disbanded, then this will stall the corruption investigations, which may be discomforting but necessary because the commission has shown high degree of incompetence," said Mbadi.

Mbadi, who is also the Suba MP, said it is necessary that a new crop of commissioners and a new secretariat be put in place to deal firmly with corruption.

Ford-Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu accused the Jubilee government of systematically placing its cronies in various institutions. "It is one of the moves being made so as to pack critical institutions with Jubilee-friendly appointees," said Dr Simiyu.

Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo said members should assess the reasons raised by the committee first before deciding whether to support the move to disband the secretariat.

Gumbo argued that the bid to throw out Matemu and Keino must be considered carefully, adding that there may be vested interest at play.

"The quest must be taken with a pinch of salt. I'm not sure serious vested interests may not be at play here. We have to objectively assess the reasons first when the petition is presented," said Gumbo.

Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) said the committee should be first investigated since its Chairman, Mr Samuel Chepkonga, is alleged to have tried to coerce some EACC members to resign.