Wamalwa was categorical that his political affiliation to the G7 alliance will not interfere with his duties/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 4 – Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa has insisted that he was not appointed to scuttle the ICC process and he should be given ample time to work.
He said that his ministry had a major mandate in constitutional implementation which he will strive to address himself to, and wants to be judged based on how he delivers on that aspect.
Wamalwa was categorical that his political affiliation to the G7 alliance will not interfere with his duties.
He said: “I am not Mutula, Karua or Kiraitu; I wish to be judged as Eugene Wamalwa based on my successes or failures as minister. I wish to be given a fair chance to discharge my responsibilities and not to be caricatured with issues that are not relevant to my mandate.”
He was referring to his predecessors in the office – Mutula Kilonzo, Martha Karua and Kiraitu Murungi.
“Like all other ministers in the coalition government, I have party affiliation but party affiliation cannot itself be an obstacle to the discharge of duty,” he added.
“To the extent that it depends on me on ICC matters, I will be guided strictly by the law and will promote justice for both the victims and suspects,” he emphasised.
The minister has accused his predecessor, Kilonzo, of being impartial in his pronouncements on the ICC and giving the ministry the image of the institution responsible for ICC matters.
“My predecessor, for some reason, seemed to take sides on ICC matters and crusade certain outcomes rather than be neutral on the judicial process. I wish to be fair to all Kenyans regardless of their political, ethnic, social or economic status or origin,” Wamalwa said.
Wamalwa who spoke in his office while outlining his priorities assured that that he will ensure that the country comes up with an integrity law that reflects the wishes of the people.
On the elections date debate, the new Justice Minister said that he will consult the Cabinet on the way forward as a Bill is already in Parliament seeking to amend the election date from August to December.
The Saboti MP said that he had proposed amendments to Section 35 of the Political Parties Act to jumpstart the process of appointing a new Registrar of Political Parties after the process stalled last year.
Section 35 of the Act provides for the timelines of appointing a selection panel that will recruit the next registrar.
With regard to the holding of elections, he said that his ministry will organise a national conference on peaceful elections with the aim of ensuring that the next elections are free, fair and peaceful.
He further committed to organising stakeholder conferences to discuss strategies of peaceful elections.
Wamalwa is expected to present the Campaign Financing Bill for debate once Parliament resumes sittings.
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