.jpg)
The ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has advised the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to ensure that its members carry out their mandates in compliance with the law.
In a statement released by the Commission’s deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud, he said they had received allegations that MPs were using their own or family properties as their offices while drawing rent allowance from the PSC funds.
He said there were also claims of nepotism linked to the members.
“We further advise you to bring to the attention of MPs the need to adhere to the law on conflict of interest and maintain impartiality in regard to the recruitment of County/Constituency office management and staff,” Mohamud added.
Mohamud said after receiving the allegations, the integrity body carried out investigations finding out that the PSC did not perform with utter carefulness to establish the ownership status of the offices occupied by the members.
He added that they had established that the PSC relied on lease agreement documents supplied by the members or Constituency/Senate office managers for rent reimbursement.
This was without fully establishing the ownership of the premises.
“Some County offices are on premises owned by MPs and/or their family members or business associates which is a contravention of the law,” EACC added.
It further directed the PSC to the provisions of the Constitution regarding the conduct of public service members in line with their mandates.
The Commission quoted Article 75 which stipulates that State Officials should avoid any conflicts between their personal interests and official duties.
Article 232(1) and (3) of the 2010 Constitution on Values and Principles of Public Service directs how state officials should conduct themselves with high standards of professional ethics.
Regulation 5 of the Parliamentary Service Regulations 2005, states that renting of offices should not be permitted where the proposed office is in a building owned by a member or a close relative.
Further, the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012 in Section 13 (1) (b) restricts public servants from engaging in activities amounting to an abuse of office.
Section 16 directs them to avoid situations of personal interest conflicts including awarding of tenders to family, agents or any entity linked to them.
The statement was copied to the Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi, the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula and the Clerk of the National Assembly Serah Kioko. BY THE STAR
