Wamalwa: I will be faithful to the law

Newly appointed Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs minister Eugene Wamalwa (right) and his Education counterpart Mutula Kilonzo (left) during a handing over ceremony at Cooperative House, Nairobi March 27, 2012 WILLIAM OERI

Newly appointed Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa has said he will implement the Constitution and serve in his capacity professionally.

Speaking during a handing over ceremony held at the Ministry's boardroom Tuesday, Mr Wamalwa said he will also fight corruption.

"I know the immense responsibility but my fidelity will be to the law," he said flanked by former minister Mutula Kilonzo who was moved to the Education Ministry in Monday's Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Kilonzo urged Mr Wamalwa to remain steadfast in the face of intimidation.

"They will threaten and intimidate you but please implement the Constitution,” he said as he handed the Justice minister a copy of the Constitution.

He challenged the Saboti MP to ensure the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) is in place to give the fight against graft teeth.

"We cannot afford the mess we have in the country,” said Mr Kilonzo.

Mr Kilonzo, who served in the Ministry for close to three years, said that he was leaving a happy man saying that he left both the Ministry and the Kenya School of Law ISO certified.

“What we have done in this Ministry cannot be repeated but of course you will improve on it,” he said.

Mr Wamalwa said he was privileged to serve in the critical Ministry.

He will be in charge of five Commissions namely the EACC, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Mr Wamalwa said that he will push for the substantive appointment of a Registrar of Political Parties.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, which was set up in 2007, is responsible for registration of political parties and arbitration of disputes, maintaining records of parties and administration of the Political Parties Fund.