Report shoddy, say senators

Senators were on Wednesday united in defending public officers linked to corruption.

Debating a report that President Kenyatta presented to Parliament, they accused the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of doing a shoddy job.

During the State of the Nation address to Parliament, the President presented a report with the names of officials under investigation, which, he said, was prepared by the ethics commission.

However, the senators yesterday questioned why the commission did not take its time to conclude the investigations before forwarding the report to the President.

TAKEN TIME

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

Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi, TNA) said Kenyans should laud the President for making a bold move to tackle corruption.

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

Dr Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo, URP) said the list was hurriedly put together and that he suspected a political motive.

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

Mr Amos Wako (Busia, ODM) said the war against corruption could only be won if reports presented for action contained specifics.

“It was necessary for the President to do this to jumpstart the process of fighting corruption, but let him walk the talk.” Mr George Khaniri (Vihiga, UDF) said the anti-corruption commission had embarrassed the President by giving him a “half-baked” report.

He said the report could harm the careers of the individuals mentioned yet thorough investigations had not been done.

However, he added, the rush to make the report public did not negate the need to hold those mentioned to account.

Ms Janet Ong’era (nominated, ODM, said: “If investigations ascertain that any of those mentioned engaged in corruption, they should be sent to jail,” said Ms Janet Ong’era (nominated, ODM).
Mob lynching

Mr Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo-Marakwet, URP) warned that setting low standards for corruption could plunge the country into anarchy, but he warned against “mob lynching”.

“Using rumour mongering to fight corruption will not help in the fight against corruption.”

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and his Kwale counterpart, Mr Boy Juma Boy, said the Coast region would accept the President’s apology only after he discloses the atrocities committed against Kenyans and spells out how illegally acquired land will be returned to the residents.