Why some MPs are in trouble ahead of their swearing-in

juma chrispinus

August 29, 2017 9:28 AM

The new MPs will go through orientation on Tuesday (August 29) ahead of swearing-in on Thursday.

New MPs with questionable characters may face a tough time in parliament ahead of the swearing in ceremony slated for Thursday.

As a new requirement, all members of parliament elected have until 5 pm Tuesday to submit their curriculum vitae (CVs) to Parliament clerks in a move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability to the public.

In a bid to know who the new lawmakers are, the parliament is now seeking to create a database of the lawmakers’ personal details and academic qualifications. All information will eventually be made available on a public Parliament's website.

Earlier, National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai alluded that a part of the accountability in the public sector, all information related to the incoming members ought to be captured.

“As part of accountability to the public, their bio data will be captured on the day of orientation and will be posted on the website so that no one will have issues knowing our leaders,” Mr Sialai had said.

On the other hand, however, the MPs had vowed to suspend this requirement until after the August 8 general election when all members would be required to have a degree.

Following the amendment of the election law, should any by-election occur either in the Senate or the National Assembly, then all aspirants would be required to have a degree from a recognised university.

Additionally, all the lawmakers are required to take along their national IDs and a certificate from the returning officer that declared the winner.

juma chrispinus