EACC to begin vetting 16,000 aspirants

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has formed an Integrity and Vetting Committee, ready to start vetting the suitability of aspirants who will be seeking elective posts in the coming August 8 General Election.

The vetting committee will be tasked with ensuring the 16,000 candidates of different political parties and their independent counterparts meet education, moral, ethical and other statutory requirements as outlined under the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) Elections Act, Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, Political Parties Act 2011 and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

Speaking during the launch of Joint Partnership Action Plan on Collaboration and Partnership between EACC and Faith Based Organizations in Nairobi, the commission Chairperson Eliud Wabukhala said that the anti-graft body has partnered with different stakeholders to ensure that only eligible candidates participate in the August 8 poll.

“As we face this year’s General Elections, the commission has partnered with the Commission for University Education, the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Department of Immigration and Registrar of Persons and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” said Wabukhala.

The vetting exercise – which is expected to be complete by the 25^th of May – will see to it that presidential and gubernatorial candidates who end up on the ballot have a valid university degree from a recognised university. The same yardstick will be used on their deputies.

All candidates must also satisfy the moral and ethical requirements spelled out in section 13 of the Leadership and Integrity Act.

Those seeking elective office must also be Kenyan citizens, and presidential candidates must be citizens by birth.

Bankrupt individuals and those subject to a prison sentence exceeding six months at the date od registration of candidates will be locked out.

Candidates must not have been found to have abused or misused state or public office or contravened any of the requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Additionally, those who want to seek elective office must not be found guilty of electoral offences in the last five years.

Elizabeth Kibor contributed to this report.