(Kennedy Mong'are Okong'o was the first Nyamira Senator. He is also the National Liberal Party leader)
The Bill by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro seeking to amend relevant statutes to punish the corrupt with murder is misplaced, myopic and irresponsible to say the least.
Firstly, I blame Parliament's legal and research clerks for taking Kenyans for a ride by allowing a member to file a motion which is clearly unconstitutional.
In light of this, it is true to say that most members of the county assemblies, national assembly, and the Senate are either naive or ignorant of parliamentary procedures and the law.
It is the work of committee clerks under the office of the clerk to advice on any intended motion, Bill and petition by a member or a citizen before it’s tabled for debate.
I find the purported Bill naive and populist and blame the clerk of the National Assembly for sleeping on the job.
The debate on whether Kenya should follow the footsteps of a one-party dictatorship like China in awarding death penalty on corruption-related cases is ill-timed, narrow and useless.
I expect MPs and Senators to expedite the legislative piece aimed at empowering the asset recovery agency with more resources and manpower.
Instead of having Nyoro’s Bill, the DCI, DPP, EACC, Judiciary and the AG’s offices should have a speedy trial mechanism akin to the election petitions model to handle graft cases.
This will enable speedy trials, recovery of ill-gotten assets and above all, impoverish and jail the looters as it is done in Britain, the United States and other European countries.
Otherwise, every Tom, Dick and Harry will shout hoarse in championing for the fight against corruption, a call which is void and akin to chasing the wind.
#hivisasaoriginal