NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – The Cabinet on Tuesday approved three more crucial Bills in the process of implementing the new Constitution.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi, the Ministers approved the Independent Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill, which will establish a successor to the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission.
When formed, the new commission will put into effect the Anti Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and other present and future statutes which contain anti-corruption and economic crimes legislations.
It will also give a framework for conducting investigations, prosecution of corruption suspects and assets recovery.
Under the provisions of law, the commission will have a chairperson and six other members. It will also have a secretariat to be headed by a secretary who will also be secretary to the commission.
The Cabinet further approved the Power of Mercy Bill 2011 which is supposed to provide an avenue of appointing members of the advisory committee on the power of mercy based on tenure, rules and procedures of the committee.
It will provide criteria of formulating its advice and its functions as well as its powers.
The committee, which will comprise the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Correctional Services and five other members who shall not hold any public office, will also advise the President on petitions of mercy and pardon.
The Cabinet further cleared the Kenya Heroes Bill 2011 which is intended to recognise, identify and select heroes by categorising them.
During the meeting the Cabinet also approved the hosting of the International Gold Event 2011 by the President’s Award Kenya from September 2 to 16 this year.
The development program is planned to empower young people by developing qualities of good leadership and citizenship.
The program further seeks to promote endurance, community service and skills development through physical recreation and residential training projects.
Already 44,000 Kenyans are undergoing the program in various educational centres across the country.
The Cabinet also discussed and approved the proposed rehabilitation of the City Park and the liquidation of the defunct Africa Housing Fund.
The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday was one of the ways the government is using to ensure the implementation process of the new Constitution is on track.
Already, there have been concerns that Parliament may not meet the August 27 deadline, but the National Assembly has blamed the Executive, accusing it of not approving Bills on time for debate.
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