Lawmakers have rejected a proposed amendment to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2003.
During the debate on The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2022, the legislators argued that adopting the amendment would provide a fertile ground for witch hunt.
The Act had sought to have state officers being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission leave office pending the conclusion of their cases.
“If a member of parliament is under investigation by the EACC, doesn’t that affect the rights of the people who voted for you to represent them? Are their rights not affected if you are unable to represent them?” Mwengi Mutuse, the Vice Chair Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) posed
The proposed amendment also proposed that while under investigation, officers should be barred from voting or undertaking any official duty.
“Many individuals in this country are constantly trooping to government offices to make all manner of accusations. We cannot allow that an accusation becomes a presumption of guilty,” Robert Mbui, the Deputy Minority Whip stated.
Kamche Menza
