Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Mumo Matemu (right) and his deputy, Irene Keino. PHOTOS| SALATON NJAU and FILE
What you need to know:
The fate of EACC chair Mumo Matemu and deputy Irene Keino still hangs in the balance.
The fate of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Mumo Matemu and his deputy, Irene Keino, still hangs in the balance after Parliament granted 10 more days to its Justice and Legal Affairs committee to complete its work.
The committee was initially given up to Tuesday to file its report on the petition seeking the removal of the two top anti-graft commissioners.
The extension of the deadline for tabling the report followed a sharp split between members of the committee on whether or not to dismiss the commissioners.
The committee had on Tuesday morning met for over five hours behind closed doors but failed to arrive at an agreement resulting in the lapse of the deadline for tabling the findings. Committee vice-chairperson Pricilla Nyokabi moved a motion seeking the 10-day extension without giving reasons.
“I wish to move that this House resolves to extend the period of petition for the removal of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission by the committee for a further 10 days,” Ms Nyokabi said. “We need a further 10 days to finalise it and I ask Banisa MP Mohammed Haji to second the motion,” she said.
Mr Haji did not make any statement, only rising to bow to signify his consent to the motion. Committee member Peter Kaluma said the EACC petition concerned an independent constitutional commission.
“It is a serious matter touching on EACC. You will remember that the President was here a few days ago and received a standing ovation for his goodwill towards fighting corruption when he tabled the secret corruption dossier. You also will agree that EACC is handling these critical cases,” he said.
Mr Kaluma, however, differed with Ms Nyokabi for asking for more time for the team saying the committee had finished sifting through documents and conducting hearings.
“I am worried about the 10 days. We met yesterday (Tuesday) and what only remained was the adoption of the report... We should reduce time to five days,” he said.
The committee is evaluating a petition filed by Mr George Oriaro who wants Mr Matemu and Ms Keino removed from office for alleged breach of the Constitution and abuse of office.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
