Kaluma's attempt to amend the law faces opposition

Homa Bay, Thursday, July6 , 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

 Members of a civil society group have criticised Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma over his attempts to amend the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes legislation.

The members of the Eastern Africa Collaboration for Economic Social and Cultural Rights(ECOR) lobby group argued that the proposal by Kaluma to allow corruption ex-convicts to hold public offices was an attempt to claw back the gains of the 2010 constitution

The members of the lobby group led by their Regional Director Bather Juma K’Okach claimed that Kaluma’s proposal will adversely impact good governance, transparency, and accountability.

The civil society members told Kaluma to drop his amendments and let the law remain as it is.

Kaluma wants changes in the law to allow corruption convicts allowed to serve in public offices after completing their jail term.

In the Bill, Kaluma wants the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes law to be amended by deleting Section 64 of Chapter Six of the Constitution which bars corruption and economic crimes convicts from holding public office.

The MP argued that a convicted person will have already served the punishment and the 10-year ban was harsh.

Section 64 of the law disqualifies persons convicted of corruption or economic crimes from being elected or appointed to a public office for a minimum of ten years after the conviction.

“Kaluma’s proposal will frustrate the fight against graft. It weakens anti-corruption legal frameworks,” K’Okach said.

According to EACOR, the move by Kaluma will allow taxpayers’ money to be misused with impunity.

She said it was regrettable that Kenya loses approximately a third of the country’s budget to corruption with much of the losses occasioned by offenses prescribed by the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2003.

Speaking during a presser in Homa Bay town Wednesday, K’Okach said several reports also indicate that the country’s legal and institutional frameworks have not adequately addressed the corruption menace.

She added that there was a general perception that over the years, there has been no political goodwill to fight graft and bar tainted individuals from occupying public offices.

“There’s mischief in this effort to amend the law. It’s wrong to appoint persons who have faced criminal charges into public offices.” She said.

The EACOR Director said the only recourse which Kenyans have been banking on is the act that Kaluma wants to amend.

“Those who steal public resources must face the law. If we weaken the law, there will be a lot of impunity in the country. Culprits will steal public funds and have confidence that they will one day serve in the same office after their jail term ends,” K’Okach said.

EACOR urged Kenyans to speak up against any attempts to change the law to protect corruption convicts.

Courtesy ; K. N. A