The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved his nomination alongside those of Dabar Abdi Maalim, Paul Mwaniki Gachoka, Sophia Lepuchirit and Rose Mghoi Mtambo Macharia as commissioners of the EACC/FILE
The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved his nomination alongside those of Dabar Abdi Maalim, Paul Mwaniki Gachoka, Sophia Lepuchirit and Rose Mghoi Mtambo Macharia as commissioners of the EACC.
Kinisu who now awaits to be sworn-in into office will have high expectation to meet after MPs said they expected him to spearhead the war against mega corruption in government.
Matemu was set to face a Commission of Inquiry investigating allegations of corruption and abuse of office against him and Irene Keino after Parliament approved a petition that sought their removal from office.
Another commissioner Jane Onsongo resigned earlier even before the National Assembly had debated a motion on the commissioners’ suitability to serve.
Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Samuel Chepkonga told the House that the new team went through a thorough vetting process saying that he was confident that the team is the best that Kenya can have.
He described Kinisu as a brave man, who cannot be compromised by the government.
MPs Joyce Lay (Taita Taveta MP), Amina Abdalla (Nominated MP), Maison Leshomo (Samburu MP) said that Kinisu had the responsibility to ensure that the billions lost through misappropriation and fraud were recovered, even before the matters went to court.
The House committee in its report noted that the Kinisu, who had been in the governance sector for the past 34 years, was perfect for the job because he had the drive, passion and interest to chair the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Minority Leader Francis Nyenze said that Parliament ought to be factual for if they do otherwise “the House will be taken as a lynch mob out to destroy the careers of professionals”.
He said the floor of Parliament should not be used to malign Kenyans who have no chance to defend themselves of the accusations.
Other MPs who contributed to the debate described the team as candid and frank and having strict adherence to high integrity among other attributes.
During his approval hearing before the House team, Kinisu said he would adopt a different strategy in the fight against corruption to avoid past pitfalls.
The retired PriceWaterhouseCoopers chairman said he would apply pressure on public officers to follow the required procedures and remain accountable.
Kinisu emphasised that he was keen on improving the image of the EACC to instil public confidence and the country’s international corruption index.
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