Mututho returns as Nacada boss

What you need to know:

  • Wajir South MP Diriye Abdullahi was the first to oppose his appointment saying he must clear his name in court. “He might be very suitable and competent but lacking in integrity, this will set  bad precedent,” he said.

Former Naivasha MP John Mututho can now take over as chairman of the agency that fights against drugs and alcohol abuse after MPs Wednesday rejected a parliamentary report blocking him.

The renowned anti-alcohol crusader was saved by MPs, who voted to overturn the decision of a parliamentary committee.

The National Security and Administration Committee had argued in its report that Mr Mututho was the right man for the job but had said he should first deal with a criminal and a civil matter he has in court before he is appointed.

But his supporters in the House argued that like President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, he should be deemed innocent until proven guilty and it was therefore unfair to bar him.

Majority Whip Katoo Ole Metito then introduced the amendment to change the report of the committee and a brief debate ensued after which the vote was called and Mr Mututho was in.

Wajir South MP Diriye Abdullahi was the first to oppose his appointment saying he must clear his name in court. “He might be very suitable and competent but lacking in integrity, this will set  bad precedent,” he said.

He got support from MPs Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango, ODM), Mr John Mbadi (Suba, ODM) and Mr James Wandayi (Ugunja, ODM) who said Parliament could only approve his appointment after amending Chapter Six of the Constitution.

“I have nothing against (Mr) Mututho but if we want to do this, we must  black off Chapter Six,” said Mr Nyamweya.  “He is my friend, but are we going to appoint him and suspend him immediately according to law?” Mr Mbadi added. But supporting MPs said it would be wrong to deny him the job based on a case that has dragged on for years.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Kajiado Central MP Mr Joseph Nkaissery. “If they knew he had a case, they should not have waited for all those years,” the member said. MPs Millie Odhiambo Mabona and Richard Onyonka said the standards and benchmarks for accountability of public officers were lowered in March when candidates were allowed to run for elective posts despite facing court cases.

“He can keep the job until found guilty,” Mr Onyonka said. “The road used on one must be equally used on others. If he has not been charged, he should serve until he is proven guilty because we lowered the standards,” Members supporting him said very few people are passionate about anything and that Mr Mututho was exceptional in his zeal to fight alcohol abuse.

Passion

“We have seen through Mututho laws what he has done, we need more people in this country who believe very strongly in an issue they can champion,” Mrs Mabona said.

Majority Leader Aden Duale also supported his appointment saying having a criminal case in court cannot bar one from leadership.  He said the Judiciary and not Mr Mututho should be blamed for the delayed determination of his court case.

“We ask him to do the work before him with the same zeal with which he brought the alcohol law,” he said. Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno said the House resolution meant in future, anyone facing charges of a financial nature touching on his integrity should be considered innocent until proven guilty by the courts.