Parliamentarians have been asked not to drag issues of ICC cases facing four Kenyans in debating Leadership and Integrity Bill.
Addressing journalists in Malindi, Transparency International Kenya program officer Elijah Ambasa said there is need for Members of Parliament to set aside their differences concerning ICC issues and debate the bill.
“We don’t want a scenario where parliamentarians will debate the bill while they are divided over the ICC issues. They should set those differences aside and make sure the bill is passed according to the chapter six of the constitution,” he advised.
Ambasa also said there is need for parliamentarians to hasten debating the bill before the coming general election.
"There is a likelyhood emerging of political differences during debating on the bill and that why we are warning members of parliament early in advance to avoid that and do what they are expected of them. Because there are those who support ICC suspects and those who don't support them but such differences should not be brought in debating that bill which is important to Kenyans," he said.
He said the bill should be debated and passed in accordance with the provision of chapter six in the new constitution earlier before forthcoming election because the bill will be used by Kenyans in vetting their leaders.
The officer urged Kenyans to track movement of the bill as it goes through all constitutional stake holders and make sure that it carries’ the provisions of chapter six of the new constitution.
If the bill is not well passed in line with chapter six of the constitution the officer said Kenyans have their constitutional rights to invoke and sue responsible commissions in leadership and integrity bill.
“It is high time Kenyans should open their eyes and track movement of the bill through all constitutional bodies before it lands in parliament for debate and then to be passed,
If the law is not passed adhering with chapter six of the constitution then Kenyans can go to court and sue all responsible constitutional bodies, things have changes and Kenyans have right to decide what they want and constitutionally,” he noted.
He made the remarks in Malindi after sensitizing locals on vetting of Judges, Magistrate and public officers at Malindi county council hall.
Transparency International Kenya was also taking views from locals in Malindi concerning Leadership and Integrity Bill as well as Finance and Campaign bills.
He assured locals that their views will be taken to the constitutional bodies working out the bills and make sure that they are considered as the bills are passed to become laws.
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