Ombudsman asks MPs to strengthen integrity laws

Commission on Administrative Justice chairman Otiende Amollo (left) with Kenneth Mwige, the secretary-general of the Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping, at a press conference on April 10, 2015 following the signing of an MOU on the implementation of a mobile service for monitoring non-tariff barriers in the shipping industry. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI |

What you need to know:

  • Request follows refusal of several leaders named in EACC list to step aside.
  • Governors say Uhuru does not have the power to suspend them.

The Commission on Administrative Justice has asked Parliament to amend four Acts to force elected leaders out of office when integrity issues are raised against them.

Speaking after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the commission and the Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping, Ombudsman chairman Otiende Amollo said reviewing these pieces of legislation would compel elected leaders adversely mentioned in corruption cases to step aside and allow for investigations.

Dr Amollo said there was a gap in dealing with the legislative arm of the government since the Executive does not have absolute powers to eject them from office.

"It has become difficult to compel leaders in Parliament and counties to comply with the Executive directive of the President because of a legislation gap.

"The only legitimate remedy is for Parliament to re-examine the laws dealing with corruption and integrity and put into place mechanisms stating that when you have been accused of corruption, you leave office pending investigation," he said.

Among the pieces of legislation the the commission said must be reworked are the Ethics Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, as well as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act.

LIST OF SHAME

Dr Amollo praised President Kenyatta’s move to make public the list of 175 officials linked to corruption at all levels of government.

He said the commission is also investigating Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officials over abuse of office, maladministration and other misconduct allegations.

Governors whose names appear on the list have refused to step aside, arguing that the President or existing laws have no powers to ask them to leave office.