Parliament to ignore DCI summonses against MPs

A bid by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to summon four MPs through Parliament in relation to an undisclosed defamation suit flopped after Parliament rebuffed the summonses.

In a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, DCI claimed that the four MPs -- Adan Keynan (Aldas), Abdihakim Mohamed (Fafi), Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo) and Wangui Ngirichi (Kirinyaga) were adversely mentioned in a defamation matter the agency is pursuing and wanted to hear them out. Sources told the Sunday Standard that the matter involves their parliamentary colleague who lodged an official complaint.

The DCI wanted Keynan and Mohamed to appear at DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road while Jaldesa and Ngirichi were to appear on Tuesday. The DCI did not indicate the specific matter they were investigating.

“The DCI is investigating an alleged case of defamation vide the Serious Crime Unit Inquiry file where the above listed have been adversely mentioned. Kindly inform them to report to the DCI headquarters, Kiambu Road at 10am to facilitate investigations,” the DCI requested the clerk of the National Assembly on Thursday.

But Legal Counsel for the Directorate of Litigation and Compliance at Parliament Josephat Kuyoni has advised the Clerk not to honour the DCI’s request as it falls out of the scope of Parliament.

Kuyoni said MPs all over the world enjoy parliamentary privilege which is impeded by threats or attempts at intimidating them. He said a summons on an MP to appear before the DCI could constitute a threat to this immunity in so far as it will make them apprehensive and anxious.

“Based on the fore-going case under investigation, it does not arise from performance of duties of a Member of Parliament. As such we recommend that the DCI corresponds directly with the said members,” Kuyoni advised.