Anti-graft watchdog releases vetting rules

By CAROLINE RWENJI

Presidential aspirants and their running mates may miss out on their coveted positions if they are found to have previously broken the law, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said.

Candidates who are found to have been convicted of corruption offences and abuse of office or are subject of criminal and disciplinary proceedings would be barred from running for electoral positions.

However, even if one has been convicted, they may be cleared for running if they have not exhausted all their appeal options.

Candidates aspiring for the positions of senator, Member of Parliament, governor, member of county assembly or deputy governors are also expected to fill out and submit the Commissioned Self Declaration forms which are freely available.

Others expected to fill out the vetting forms are women representative, youth representative aspirants, representative of persons with disabilities and the speaker of the national assembly.

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According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Vice-Chairperson Irene Keino, those who fail to submit the forms could be locked out from vying for their desired seats.

The commission is then expected to verify the contents in the submitted forms and submit a report to the Interim Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), within the month.

In turn, IEBC will determine the eligibility of the candidates and dismiss those who don’t fit the bill.

With the short time span to conduct this process, Ms Keino indicated that the commission might have to hire more staff to deal with the numerous forms expected.

However, she did not explain how the hiring and training of new staff would take place so as not to affect the one month period the commission has to submit a report to the electoral body.

“All political aspirants have to adhere to the moral and ethical requirements before running for an electoral post,” she said.

The Constitution, she said, requires holders of State and public offices to adhere to the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012.