Disband EACC over graft, demands Alfred Keter

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter has called for the disbandment of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for its apparent failure to execute its mandate.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Keter accused the EACC of complacency in investigating corruption cases while claiming that the commission has engaged in bribery to silence legislators from speaking against its inefficiency.

The MP faulted the commission for forwarding its findings on the allegations of corruption at the National Youth Service (NYS) to Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru instead of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“EACC is an independent body, yet it is reporting to CS Anne Waiguru in cases touching on her ministry. This should not be the case. EACC cannot submit a report to the same person who has been accused of corruption instead of sending it to the DPP” he stated.

Keter called on MPs to move with speed in disbanding the commission in order to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

Speaking to members of the press, the Nandi Hills MP said he had filed a motion in Parliament seeking to disband EACC. Further, Keter called on legislators to support the motion when it is tabled on the floor of the August House.

He pointed out that the government should seek to recover the funds lost at NYS as this would help alleviate the existent cash crunch.

His remarks were supported by Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire.

Bosire accused the government of staying mum on the allegations bedeviling CS Waiguru: “The government is unusually silent on the allegations against Anne Waiguru, yet there is evidence that could easily implicate her in the loss of Ksh791 million at the NYS.”

The Kitutu Masaba representative launched a scathing attack on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, accusing them of protecting Waiguru from prosecution over the alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bosire appealed on the government to ensure proper use of public funds, adding that the state should make efforts to cushion Kenyans against the economic crunch.

Keter said he had collected 90 signatures in support of an impeachment motion against the Devolution CS, adding that he will table them in Parliament when the House resumes sittings.

The legislator has been vocal about the corruption allegations leveled against Waiguru, calling for her resignation over the fraudulent NYS transactions that led to the loss of Ksh791 million.

Keter’s first attempt to table a motion for the impeachment of Waiguru was dealt a blow after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi rejected it for lack of the requisite threshold of 88 signatures after 17 MPs withdrew their support.

In his announcement, Muturi said he had written to Keter informing him of the decision saying only 80 signatures had been collected, 8 short of the required threshold for the motion to be tabled in parliament and 117 MPs for it to sail through during voting.

In his response, Keter claimed that the 17 MPs who had withdrawn their signatures had been bribed to do so, with some getting up to Ksh1 million.