Bid to strengthen House teams in corruption audits
Public Investments Committee Chairman Abdulswamad Nassir (left) and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana during a retreat for parliamentary committees at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa on Wednesday. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
He said in some cases, parliamentary reports had recommended individuals were not fit to hold public offices yet they were still elected.
Meanwhile, the three watchdog committees have cautioned the Executive against interfering with Parliament’s work.
Mr Nassir said public finances must be managed properly.
Parliamentary committees want the government to second officials from investigative and prosecuting agencies to help in implementing audit reports.
Special Funds Account Committee (SFAC) Chairman Kathuri Murungi said officers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will help the House teams to hasten investigations and prosecution of individuals named in corruption allegations.
He said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Public Investment Committee (PIC) and SFAC should have officers from the DPP office, EACC and DCI in their investigative meetings.
“Once we come up with reports, analyse and we realise that there is someone culpable for the loss of public funds, our evidence from the committee is not enough to prosecute the accounting officer. But, if the three agencies are part of our team it would be easier to prosecute,” said Mr Murungi.
Speaking during the closure of their three-day retreat, he said Rwanda was using the same framework in prosecuting individuals who had squandered public funds.
AUTONOMY
“We want to go and benchmark in those countries where they use such systems. Currently, once we clear investigations in the committee and you are recommended for prosecutions, DPP cannot do it and cases get lost along the way,” he added.
PIC chairman Abdulswamad Nassir also supported the proposal. “This will give more powers to Parliament. Parliament needs to have autonomy. Whatever we recommend must be law. We have powers of the High Court,” he added.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said a law was needed to enable the three agencies to work with parliamentary committees in implementing audit reports. He said lack of a framework in implementing parliamentary reports hindered prosecution of corrupt individuals.
“We need a framework to use so that whatever Parliament has come up with can be effected. DPP’s office said it was ready to give us expertise in terms of collecting evidence to effect the report,” said Mr Wamalwa.
ELECTED
He said in some cases, parliamentary reports had recommended individuals were not fit to hold public offices yet they were still elected.
“Oversight committees have some mandates, for instance, do investigations, oversight and recommend prosecution. Unfortunately, DPP does not rely on evidence obtained in Parliament,” he said.
Meanwhile, the three watchdog committees have cautioned the Executive against interfering with Parliament’s work. PAC chairman Opiyo Wandayi, PIC’s Nassir and SFAC’s Murungi assured Kenyans that members will be independent in their oversight role and auditing the government.
“We are neither Nasa nor Jubilee. We shall serve Kenyans without fear, favour or intimidation from the Executive. Our feet are down. We are ready to start our work. We will ensure resources are channelled through the right process,” said Mr Murungi.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Mr Nassir said public finances must be managed properly.
Mr Wandayi urged the MPs to uphold professionalism in the committees.
“Don’t engage in sideshows. We must be disciplined and respect each other and other government officials. We must check the Executive and the other two arms of the government on how they utilise financial resources,” said Mr Wandayi.
