MPs shun debate on draft law

Lack of quorum cut short the introduction of debate on the Leadership and Integrity Bill even as the government defended its current form, saying it still meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Despite its significance on national leadership in relation to moral and ethical considerations, only 18 out of 222 MPs were in the House when the Bill was formally introduced for deliberation.

Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa and Deputy Leader of Government Business Amos Kimunya argued that it would not have been practical to require all aspirants for leadership positions to undergo vetting, citing time constraints.

They also dismissed claims of watering down the Bill, saying changes made to it were based on extensive consultations among key stakeholders, including the Committee on the Implementation of the Constitution and the Law Reform Commission.

Moving debate on the Bill, Mr Wamalwa said the sub-committee chaired by Prime Minister Raila Odinga sat late into the night and agreed to remove some sections on grounds that it would not have been practicable to implement them.

“It is a Bill that meets the requirements of Chapter Six, we have room to improve on it in future and to consolidate it with others on ethical issues so as to avoid having pieces of legislation scattered all over,” the minister said, noting that some sections of the Bill were removed to avoid duplication of existing laws.

Discharge mandate

According to the minister, the Cabinet sub-committee felt the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission would not be able discharge its mandate within the time given as it was not fully operational.

Seconding, Mr Kimunya said the original Bill would have required that more than 200,000 candidates be vetted by the anti-corruption commission, police and KRA to be cleared to vie in various positions.

“It would have been absolutely impractical,” he said.

Mr Kimunya said CIC and LRC were part of the consultations that agreed on the changes.

“I was therefore surprised to see a paid-up advert by the CIC using public funds going back on what we had agreed on,” said the Trade minister.

But his contribution was cut short by Kieni MP Onesmus Warugongo who alerted acting Speaker Gitobu Imanyara of lack of quorum.

This pushes the discussion on the Bill to next week when Parliament will also be dealing with the five crucial Bills scheduled for conclusion before the August 27 deadline.