Garissa Township MP Aden Duale says the National Assembly will reject the proposed legislation seeking to grant Governors immunity from prosecution while in office.
Duale, who is also the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly, said the proposed legislation by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei will not see the light of the day, accusing him of abusing his office as the Chairperson of Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee.
“Senator Cherargei is abusing his office as the chairman of the Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee. His proposal will only perpetuate impunity and corruption, which is against the president and Jubilee Party’s resolve to fight the vice,” said Duale.
He stated that the Bill is unpopular in the National Assembly and would not be entertained by the House. The Bill seeks to shield governors from criminal proceedings while in office.
“Just like the President and his deputy are protected from any form of prosecution while in office, governors should not be charged until when they are out of office,” said Cherargei.
Senator Cherargei, a lawyer, says his bill is aimed at protecting devolution, which he claims is being stifled by the Executive arm of the government. He said Kenya should borrow from Nigeria, where governors enjoy immunity from prosecution.
He alleged that the arrest and charging of Governors Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) and Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu) was part of the Executive’s plot to kill devolution.
“The ruling against the three governors shows devolution is under threat; we have even seen some government operatives addressing governors as provincial commissioners while the courts have issued rulings to appease the Executive.,” he said.
“The Judiciary is driven by morbid fear because its resources were slashed. That’s why I propose a change to the Constitution to give county chiefs immunity against any form of prosecution.”
