APNAC-K writes to Ruto, Raila over Bills seeking to amend anti-corruption law

AG Justin Muturi (left) with APNAC Kenya Chairperson Shakeel Shabbir at Parliament Buildings, September 2018. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption - Kenya Chapter (APNAC-K) has written to President William Ruto and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga to rally their MPs to shoot down two Bills which hinder the war against graft

APNAC Kenya chapter Chairperson Shakeel Shabbir said the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Amendment Bill, 2023 sponsored by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and another amendment sought by Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku will claw back gains made in the fight against corruption.

"By having the two amendments of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Bill amendment will water down the war against corruption. That is why we are lobbying members of parliament from both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja coalition to shoot them down," said Shabbir.

The Kisumu Town East MP, who was speaking during the APNAC Kenya media round table Thursday, said they engaged Kaluma and Ruku to withdraw their Bills unsuccessfully and that they were now imploring all legislators to shoot them down and that is why they have roped in the President and the opposition leader in this.

Kaluma, in his Bill, seeks to amend the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003 to delete the provision providing for the disqualification of persons convicted of corruption or economic crimes from being elected or appointed as public officers.

Ruku's Bill seeks to amend section 45 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act number 3 of 2003 in order to remove the inordinate and undue criminalization of flaws in public procurement law which the legislators said will pave the way for corruption activities in the public sector.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah called for the engagement of the Police in fighting corruption fully since they have a fully-fledged economic crimes unit, are equipped and have the network and making them allies in the fight against corruption would be a great achievement.

Omtatah explained that even the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission relied on the police to carry out its fight against corruption noting that the security agency has been vilified and that it should instead be turned around into a crucial ally to those agencies fighting corruption for them to be successful.

"While the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission should not be undermined in the fight against corruption, we cannot ignore the police if we want to be successful in this fight since they are well equipped and have the network to fight corruption if well involved," said Omtatah.

Starehe MP Amos Mwago, Rangwe MP Lillian Gogo, Vihiga County Beatrice Adagala, Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze and Busia County MP Catherine Omanyo said that members from different political affiliations were united in the fight against corruption in all sectors of the economy.