MPs threaten to change Truth report

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo during a media briefing.

What you need to know:

  • MPs Thursday criticised the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as they started debate on its report.
  • The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission report is in Parliament so MPs can make recommendations to implement it.

MPs on Thursday ay criticised the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as they started debate on its report.

Many MPs said they would change the report, even though a House committee has prepared an amendment to prevent them from doing so.

The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee prepared a Bill that would prevent MPs from changing the substance of the report, though the lawmakers during debate suggested they would make amends.

Mr Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central, ODM) said parts of the report were shoddy.

“If we allow this report to go as it is, as if this Parliament is a rubber-stamp, we’ll not have played our role,” he said.

The MP is named in the report over his alleged role in injustices against the Pokot when he was an army officer.

COMMISSIONERS ERRED

He said: “I was a young major in the army and just because now I’m a Member of Parliament and I was an assistant minister for Defence, the commissioners erroneously (in fact they apologised later) included me in the report.

I can’t believe that they could write such a useless report.”

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission report is in Parliament so MPs can make recommendations to implement it.

It provides for the relevant minister to start the implementation of the report and a method through which it would be implemented “in accordance with recommendations of the National Assembly.”

Civil society groups and members of the defunct Truth commission were initially afraid MPs would mutilate the report, which prompted the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to suggest the amendment, barring changes to the report itself.

Still, MPs Millie Odhiambo (Suba, ODM), David Kangogo (Marakwet East, URP) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja, ODM) were apprehensive that lawmakers could still get the chance to amend the report.

“I am very reluctant to support this Bill,” said Mrs Odhiambo.

“I can almost predict that amendment of theirs is likely to be defeated.”

Saying she was not for the gagging of Parliament, Mrs Odhiambo said if left pending, the issues detailed in the report “will just blow up.”

“ Let us be bold, let us be brave let us deal with these issues once in a while.

How do you tell people who are aggrieved to accept and move on?

We need a leader who is brave enough to confront the challenges this country is facing,” she added.

Ronald Tonui (Bomet Central, URP) said the Bill offered MPs a chance to discuss the report.

He argued that commission members were often fighting, but Parliament had an opportunity to speak in one voice.