Kenyan Parliament. Photo/the-star.co.ke
After Members of the next Parliament have been sworn in, they will be required to make a written commitment, not to take bribes or be unduly influenced in the course of their duties.The MPs have been sent a document by the leadership of the Houses to those awaiting the swearing-in and induction, informing them about the issue. In the past MPs have been accused of being paid bribes to throw out parliamentary reports, defeat and support Motions.National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai said that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is also involved in the matter as the institution charged with ensuring that State officers and civil servants behave ethically.Mr Sialai said, “The EACC has written to us, saying as soon as they are sworn in, they must sign that document. We are preparing for that and there will be a period after they are sworn in within which they will sign the document”.The EACC had asked Parliament to decide on which code of conduct to be adopted. There is one in the Public Officers Ethics Act and another provided by the EACC.However, Parliament has its own in the newly enacted Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. In the code of conduct, the lawmakers National Assembly and the Senate are required to adhere to seven general principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.The code forbids lawmakers from taking money as a reward or an incentive to do their job, being paid for giving advice or services on parliamentary matters or incurring an expense that unduly influences them.