Senators punch holes in EACC's list of shame

President Uhuru Kenyatta hands over the EACC report to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi (left) and Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro after the State of the Nation address in Parliament on March 26, 2015. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |

What you need to know:

  • The senators, while debating the EACC report presented to Parliament by President Kenyatta, accused the commission of doing a shoddy work.

  • They particularly questioned why the commission could not take time and conclude the investigations before presenting the report to the President and Parliament.

  • Dr Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo, URP) said the list was hurriedly put together and suspected a political hand in the whole process.

Senators on Tuesday united in defending senior government officials accused of corruption by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The senators, while debating the EACC report presented to Parliament by President Kenyatta, accused the commission of doing a shoddy work.

They particularly questioned why the commission could not take time and conclude the investigations before presenting the report to the President and Parliament.

Also Read

“The report shows names of people under investigations when the commission could have taken time to conclude their investigations,” said Ms Zipporah Kittony (nominated, Kanu).

BOLD MOVE

Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi, TNA) said Kenyans should appreciate the President for taking the bold move to tackle corruption head-on.

“Corruption is a bigger enemy to the future of our country than terrorism posed by Al-Shabaab,” said Prof Kindiki told the House.

Dr Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo, URP) said the list was hurriedly put together and suspected a political hand in the whole process.

“The shallowness of this report is wanting (sic). Political machinations could have been used to produce this shoddy list. Why publish names of people and say investigations are on-going?” he said.

WALK THE TALK

Former Attorney-General Amos Wako (Busia, ODM) said the war against corruption can only be won if reports presented for action are on specifics as opposed to generalities.

“It was necessary for the President to do this to jumpstart the process of fighting corruption. But, let him walk the talk,” said Mr Wako.

Mr George Khaniri (Vihiga, UDF) said the anti-graft body has ended up embarrassing the President through the "half baked" report.

He said the dossier would have devastating effects on the careers of those adversely mentioned yet through investigations had not been done before their names were published and publicised by the President.

The rush to make the report public however, the leaders said, does not imply that those mentioned should go scot-free.

SENT TO JAIL

“If investigations ascertain that indeed any of those mentioned engaged in corruption, they should be sent to jail. Some of the allegations have directly affected people’s lives,” said Janet Ong’era (nominated, ODM).

Mr Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet, URP) warned that setting low standards for corruption risked plunging the country into anarchy.

“Certain standards must be observed to have the rule of law. Let us not resort to mob lynching. Using rumour-mongering to fight corruption will not help,” said Mr Murkomen.

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and his Kwale counterpart Boy Juma Boy said the coast region will accept the president’s apology once he discloses atrocities committed against Kenyans and go ahead to spell out how illegally acquired land will be returned to the area residents.

In the headlines