Ugunja Legislator who is also the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly Hon. Opiyo Wandayi has filed a bill in parliament which will bar public officers facing corruption charges from holding public office.
Wandayi seeks to amend the Leadership and Integrity Act ,2012 and the Election Act of 2011 to lock out elected or appointed state officers accused of corruption from staying in office after they have been charged in court.
Many affected public officers have taken advantage of the current law which provides that a person is innocent until proven guilty to hold on to their offices despite their charges in court. “The best way to stop corruption in the government is to stop corrupt people from getting into office either as elected leaders or appointed bureaucrats” said Wandayi.
Wandayi’s Bill is expected to seal the loopholes that have made it difficult for anti-graft bodies the Directorate of Public Prosecutions from prosecuting state officers accused of corruption and other crimes.
Public officials who may be affected by the new bill include Governors Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu), Ali Korane (Garissa),Okoth Obado (Migori) and Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) all of whom are are facing corruption charges in court. Other than more than 20 MPs are facing charges related to the theft or misuse of the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
“When Chapter Six of the constitution was enacted, it was watered down such that it Is giving leaders leeway to circumvent the constitution” Wandayi said
