State printer takes blame for Bill delay
Photo/FILE
Government Printer Andrew Rukaria apologised after MPs notified him that by backdating the Bill publication date to July 5, instead of the actual date it was published on July 18, he had lied about the commencement date of the Act.
The Government Printer has said that the delay in the publication of the electoral law was as a result of work overload in his office.
Mr Andrew Rukaria, the Government Press manager, said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act was delayed because of the internal scheduling process at the Printer and promised MPs that no such delay will be experienced in future.
He apologised after MPs notified him that by backdating the Bill publication date to July 5, instead of the actual date it was published on July 18, he had lied about the commencement date of the Act.
He said he should have disregarded the workload and expedited publishing of the Bill.
Mr Rukaria told the committee that “anything on the Constitution’s implementation” would be handled urgently.
Delayed for 13 days
Assistant minister Elizabeth Ongoro alleged that Mr Rukaria asked an employee to stop publication of the Bill, which delayed for 13 days, after a visit by a powerful government official, which was denied.
“Your office operates like a hospital. You are the doctor who should know that a patient is in critical condition and should be given priority,” added Ms Ongoro.
Assistant minister Alfred Khang’ati said printing of urgent Bills could be done at short notice.
Mr Rukaria said the printer’s capacity was strained due to lack of sufficient machinery and staff.
