Judge Smokin Wanjala to lead hiring of EACC commissioners
Supreme Court judge and former Assistant Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (now the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission) Smokin Wanjala. He will head the selection panel that will hire two commissioners for the EACC. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI |
What you need to know:
The nine-member panel that will be chaired by Supreme Court judge Smokin Wanjala held its first meeting on Thursday as they seek to advertise, shortlist, interview and recommend names for appointment.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been operating without commissioners for more than a month after the dramatic resignation of its three commissioners.
Chairman Mumo Matemu resigned in May while commissioners Irene Keino and Prof Josephine Onsongo quit in April and March, respectively.
President Kenyatta has appointed a panel to fill two commissioner posts at the anti-graft agency.
The nine-member panel that will be chaired by Supreme Court judge Smokin Wanjala held its first meeting in Nairobi on Thursday.
It is set to advertise, shortlist, interview and recommend names for vetting by Parliament and appointment by Mr Kenyatta.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been operating without commissioners for more than a month after the dramatic resignation of its three commissioners.
Chairman Mumo Matemu bowed out in May while commissioners Irene Keino and Prof Jane Onsongo quit in April and March, respectively.
INVITE APPLICANTS
The other members of the selection panel are Ms Gladys Kianji of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa, Ms Winfred Lichuma of the National Gender and Equality Commission and Ms Maryanne Njau-Kimani of the Office of the Attorney-General.
Others are Sheikh Adan Wachu of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, Mr Peter Wakoli of the Media Council of Kenya, Mr Titus Ndambuki of the Public Service Commission, Mr Kennedy Kihara of the Office of the President and Kagwiria Mbogori of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission.
The panel is now expected to invite applicants for the positions by next week as the EACC Act requires.
LITTLE DOUBT
“The selection panel shall, within seven days of convening, by advertisement in at least two daily newspapers of national circulation, invite applications from persons who qualify for nomination and appointment for the position of the Chairperson and members,” reads the Act.
Mr Dennis Mosota, a lawyer and a member of the Law Society of Kenya Council, on Friday said the panel selected by the President was competent.
“There is little doubt that Justice Wanjala has the requisite experience and intellectual capacity to recommend the right people to head (the) EACC having served at the EACC previously. I also have no doubt that there are many eminently qualified Kenyans of sound integrity and good intentions that fit the bill,” he said.
Judge Wanjala served as assistant director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (now the EACC). He resigned in 2009.
POLITICAL GOODWILL
Mr Mosota added that the concern should be whether those selected will be accorded the political support and goodwill they require to fight corruption.
Mr Matemu, who had been at the helm of the EACC since 2012, resigned after President Kenyatta formed a tribunal to investigate his conduct.
On the other hand, Ms Keino, who was Mr Matemu’s deputy, said she had quit to spare her family from the anguish of going through a judicial process.
Prof Onsongo resigned in March, citing external pressure.
The decision to remove Mr Matemu and Ms Keino from office was triggered by a petition submitted to the National Assembly by Mr Geoffrey Oriaro, who had argued that the two were incapable of leading the war against corruption.
