MP Peter Kaluma drafts bill to slash DPP's powers, give EACC power to prosecute

ODM MP formulates plan to slash DPP's powers

February 18, 2019 2:13 PM

DPP Noordin Haji's powers to be slashed in new plan

DPP Noordin Haji

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has drafted a Bill that will see the Director of Public Prosecution and Directorate of Criminal Investigations' powers slashed.

Kaluma's Bill proposes to give the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) the power to prosecute corruption cases, effectively taking the investigative and prosecutory powers away from the DPP and DCI.

"Very few cases of corruption and economic crimes proceed to prosecution and end up with convictions and this is largely because the commission merely investigates and reports cases including serious corruption cases," Kaluma noted.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma during a past presser at Parliament buildings Pulse Live Kenya

Kaluma further argues that the DPP currently holds the power to prosecute the cases which exposes the holder of the office to being "compromised by the President".

Parliament deliberately weakened EACC

"The State through Parliament has deliberately weakened EACC. Being an independent body, it should carry out its mandate autonomously and prosecute individuals without fear or any bias.

"I want it not to be known who is coming for the persons accused of corruption. When they think the President is telling the DCI not to press charges, the commission then swings into action with the same case to the DPP when they are directed to go slow on a case," the legislator stated.