Matemu team to face fresh MP vote
The three people nominated to lead the fight against corruption will be vetted afresh by Parliament, House Speaker Kenneth Marende ruled on Wednesday.
The Speaker said MPs only rejected a report of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that had found Mr Mumo Matemu, Prof Jane Onsongo, and Ms Irene Keino unfit to lead the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday. (READ: Matemu picked after bitter fight in House)
He asked the Leader of Government Business, Vice President Kalonzo, to move a fresh motion seeking approval of the nominees.
“It is my considered opinion that if the Constitution is to be interpreted, it must be absolutely certain that the National Assembly has unequivocally approved or rejected the nomination of this person… the Speaker should not be put in a position what the implication of any decision of the House is,” said Mr Marende before MPs broke for Christmas.
The House resumes on any day before February 27, next year.
Earlier, assistant minister Ndiritu Muriithi, Dr Boni Khalwale (Ikolomani) and Mr Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West) asked the Speaker not to submit the names to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga until he rules on the legitimacy of Tuesday’s vote.
Opposed the names
“Nowhere in the Standing Orders does it say that if a negative motion is negatived in the House it will become positive,” Mr Muriithi said.
Meanwhile, three Cabinet ministers and 10 assistant ministers defied President Kibaki and Mr Odinga by voting against the nominees.
Ministers Dalmas Otieno (Public Service), James Orengo (Lands), and Chris Obure (Public Works) were among the 49 MPs who supported the report by the Justice committee.
Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, who had supported the nomination, was not in the House during the vote.
Mr Danson Mungatana (Garsen) and Mr Harun Mwau (Kilome), who supported the nominees, also did not vote. Defence assistant minister Joseph Nkaissery did not vote.
The 10 assistant ministers who rebelled against the Executive are Mr Bifwoli Wakoli, Mr Asman Kamama, Mr Manyala Keya, Dr Kilemi Mwiria, Mr Katoo ole Metito, Mr Peter Munya, Mr Julius Murgor, Mr Muriithi Ndiritu, Prof Ayiecho Olweny and Mr Wilfred Ombui.
Sports assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando had opposed the names, but he was kicked out of the House before the vote was taken for questioning the impartiality of Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim who was presiding over the debate.
“On issues before the House, we will not take orders (from the principals). The message that must come out is that there are issues that must rise above parliamentary groups and ethnic caucuses,” Mr Kabando said.
