Keep off harambees, ethics team warns MPs

What you need to know:

  • “The purpose of this communication is to bring the provisions to your notice and to request the honourable senators to respect the law and to warn that appropriate action will be preferred against those who violate the law,” said Mr Waqo.
  • “Whereas the commission appreciates the gesture directed towards supporting worthy causes, the activities by such members is in violation of the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.
  • The commission has observed “with a lot of concern” that some members of the National Assembly continuously engage in public collections in blatant disregard of the law, says the letter.

Parliamentarians have been warned against engaging in harambees.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has written to the National Assembly, saying MPs who collect money in public functions are violating the law.

The letter by EACC Secretary Halakhe Waqo to Speaker Justin Muturi also points an accusing finger at senators over the matter.

The commission has observed “with a lot of concern” that some members of the National Assembly continuously engage in public collections in blatant disregard of the law, says the letter.

“Whereas the commission appreciates the gesture directed towards supporting worthy causes, the activities by such members is in violation of the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.

RESPECT THE LAW
“The purpose of this communication is to bring the provisions to your notice and to request the honourable senators to respect the law and to warn that appropriate action will be preferred against those who violate the law,” said Mr Waqo.

The Act says only the President can authorise State officers to conduct harambees in times of disasters.

In doing so, the President must issue a gazette notice to declare a national disaster.

The law further requires all State officers to sign an integrity code that limits their role in harambees.

Those who violate the law may be jailed for up to three years. However, a court may impose a Sh500,000 fine or order for both.
MPs have proposed to amend the Constitution so that they are not classified as State officers.

However, their quest is informed by the reality that their salaries and allowances are determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, which determines perks for State officers.