More than 10 MPs risk losing their seats over the chaos that rocked Parliament as the ruling coalition engaged the opposition over contentious laws on security. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Friday said it was investigating the MPs who were involved in fracas on Thursday, during debate of the Security (Amendment) Bill 2014. Commission chairman Mumo Matemu warned that they could initiate the process of removal from office for all those found culpable. The process would also involve the Powers and Privileges Committee of the National Assembly, which is chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi, he said. Mr Matemu said the disruption of House proceedings, name calling and physical confrontations among some of the MPs was unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. LOSE THE PERKS “The commission will institute investigations on the chaos and take appropriate action. We will look at personal conduct of each of the persons involved,” Mr Matemu told journalists yesterday at his Integrity Centre office in Nairobi. If punished, the MPs would lose the perks that come with their job: salaries, allowances and mileage claims, among others. MPs from the government side managed to fight off spirited efforts by the opposition to block passage of the amendments to the security laws meant to buttress the fight against terrorism in the country. But, in a rejoinder, Leader of Majority Aden Duale downplayed the move, saying the EACC has no powers to investigate what happens in Parliament. He said that the bad conduct exhibited by some MPs in Parliament can only be investigated by the Powers and Privileges Committee. “MPs enjoy immunity. When disorderly conduct occurs within the chamber or in the precincts of Parliament, they(MPs) can only be punished by this committee,” said Mr Duale. He said what happened in the House was not an economic crime or corruption to warrant the input of the commission. Homa Bay Women Representative Gladys Wanga alleged to have splashed water on Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, too, dimissed the EACC threat. SHOUTING AND WAVING Contacted on Friday, she said: “This is ridiculous! Parliament has mechanisms of dealing with errant members - the Powers and Privileges Committee. ADVERTISEMENT “EACC must concentrate on their core mandate and bring to book those who have stolen millions from taxpayers unless they are looking for scapegoats since they cannot perform their key mandate.” On Thursday morning, John Mbadi (Suba, ODM) snatched the Order Paper from Administration and National Security Committee Chairman Asman Kamama which stopped the Third Reading from going on and marked the start of chaos. Others likely to be investigated include Millie Odhiambo (Mbita, ODM), Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i, ODM) and Simba Arati Dagoretti North, ODM). Ms Odhiambo claimed that three Jubilee MPs attempted to undress her in the chambers. She wrote on her Facebook page that she “completed the process for them”. Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetangula (Bungoma, Ford-K), James Orengo (Siaya, ODM), Janet Ong’era (Nominated, ODM, Dr Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega, UDF) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos, Wiper) are also likely to be investigated for their part in the drama. The senators were seated in the Speaker’s Gallery- the public gallery opposite where the Speaker sits and Justin Muturi ordered their ejection on grounds that they were shouting and waving, which is not allowed in the galleries. When they refused to leave on Mr Muturi’s orders, some Parliamentary orderlies tried to eject them and were joined by Jubilee MPs Moses Gikaria (Nakuru Town East, TNA), Muthomi Njuki (Chuka/ Igambangómbe, TNA), Joseph Kiuna (Njoro, TNA), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati, TNA), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town, TNA) and James Gakuya (Embakasi North, TNA). These, and others, could be punished for their part in the melee that followed, which was basically a mass brawl in which Mr Muthama’s trousers and shirt were torn and Mr Arati’s finger bitten. Mr Matemu warned that the legislators who will be found to have failed to adhere to the tenets of leadership and integrity as provided for in Chapter Six of the Constitution, would not be spared. He said MPs are expected to act soberly and conduct themselves with decorum to avoid bringing Parliament into disrepute, despite their differences of opinion during debate. “The commission notes that the conduct of some members of the National Assembly was in total violation of the Constitution and Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, in as much as they were engaged in the spirit of protecting the same Constitution,” Mr Matemu said. As state officers, he said, the legislators are required to adhere to principles and values of the Constitution and the rule of law while conducting their affairs, whether in public or private. However, he clarified that the commission was not concerned with the process of legislation as that was a preserve of Parliament as an independent arm of government. He allayed fears that it would be difficult to deal with the legislators saying the commission was committed to political neutrality and any action taken would be preceded by professional investigations. Asked about the timeline, Mr Matemu was not categorical, explaining that the process could be lengthy. “It is too early to give timelines. The process entails collection and analysis of information. We must build the case. We shall keep Kenyans informed of the progress,” he said.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 05:51:31 +0000