MPs’ approval of graft team raises queries, but let them get to work

The endorsement of the three nominees to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission by Parliament despite claims of incompetence and lack of will and integrity is an indication that the fight against corruption is far from being won.

At a time like this when reforms are needed in all public sectors, it was totally wrong to go ahead and approve the nominees before carrying out thorough investigations into their characters.

If vetting is being carried out on judges in an effort to clean up the judiciary, I don’t see why the same should not be done on people taking up the noble task of fighting graft.

Bearing in mind that Mr Mumo Matemu’ appointment to head the agency was widely opposed by quite a number of MPs earlier on, it raises serious questions on his ability to deal with some of the most recent scandals like those involving NSSF and NHIF.

It seems the majority MPs who unanimously supported the taking over of the office by the three are looking forward to manipulating them once they assume duties.

The case of former anti-corruption boss Patrick Lumumba is very fresh in our minds.

The MPs passed a motion of no-confidence in him when it appeared that he was stepping on the toes of people whose ministries were found to have misappropriated public funds.

JOSHUA GITUMA, Ngusishi

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Justify its keep

The appointments of EAAC chair and commissioners have come at the right time to put the sector in order after the commission was sent into a spin following the end of contracts of the staff.

The move to put in place what is most needed for this nation is worth praising, given that the fight against corruption was coming to a halt.

Chairman Mumo Matemu and his colleagues should take up the challenge seriously and get down to business because Kenyans expect a lot from them.

The revamped commission team must justify their keep. No time should be lost in hiring a new team to replace those whose contracts had lapsed.

The problem as usual with our leaders is that they will want to politicise any appointments made.

But the ball is now in the EACC’s court after blame games in the House over the approval of nominees for appointment by the President.

A good starting point for the new team is the NHIF scandal.

VICTOR OTSIULA, Kakamega.