EACC to block politicians who fail integrity test before August polls

dennis kibet

February 15, 2017 10:43 AM

Under the proposed regulations, candidates must obtain a ‘certified’ clearance certificate from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to contest.

MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and woman representatives Florence Mutua (Busia) and Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi) at Milimani law courts for a hearing on their hate speech cases, June 16, 2016.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are seeking more powers that would ensure they lock out politicians who have integrity issues from vying in elections.

This is part of a raft of new regulations proposed by the EACC and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) submitted to Parliament for approval.

The new regulations state that: “A candidate shall obtain and submit clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission as prescribed under the Leadership and Integrity Act.”

The existing law simply states that: “A candidate shall submit a self-declaration form as prescribed in the First Schedule to the Leadership and Integrity Act.”

Prominent politicians to be locked out

Should MPs approve the regulations tabled in the National Assembly, a number of high ranking and prominent politicians will be locked out of the August polls.

This new regulation will give EACC the powers to clear and reject candidates seeking for elective posts in elections.

Politicians will likely be disqualified from running if they have undetermined court cases which include tax evasion, assault, fraud, falsification of academic papers, misuse of firearms, incitement to violence, hate speech among others.

Currently there are over 20 well-known politicians who are involved in court cases and can possibly fall within this category.

Those with pending court cases on various charges include Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Ganze MP Peter Shehe, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, nominated MP Sonia Birdi, Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka, Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa Kariuki.

Others are Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel, Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Kasarani MP John Chege, Imenti Central MP Gideon Mwiti and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.

dennis kibet