You can’t vie somewhere else if you have been impeached – Haji

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has challenged Kenyans to vote for people with integrity in the August 9 poll.

In an interview with Spice FM on Thursday, Haji said people who held elective posts and impeached cannot stand somewhere else.

"There must be respect for the rule of law. You cannot vie for a political seat in another county if you have been impeached!" he said.

He also encouraged voters to make wise decisions.

"Let us vote wisely, and put this country first by voting in people with integrity in office," Haji said.

Haji said citizens have the power to determine the kind of the leaders who will represent them.

He was accompanied by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Twalib Mbarak, who reiterated DPP's words saying that voters should take charge of their political future.

"Only when they elect leaders of integrity they can expect good laws and policies that guarantee national prosperity," Twalib said.

The two said that even though Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity spells out the people's aspirations, the provisions are not sufficient to help Kenyans realize what they want.

"Politicians want to be treated differently. The constitution stipulates that state and public officers facing integrity issues must step down. Politicians insist that it doesn't apply to them," Haji said.

Haji clarified that in his opinion, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should bar any impeached leaders from vying if presented with a certificate from EACC.

"In my opinion, if we have the evidence even before charging them or taking the matter to court, if it presented to IEBC by the EACC, then the commission should be able to say you cannot vie."

He however, said that if the impeached leaders take the matter to court, the ODPP will not clear them without a say so from the court.

"We might lose but we will fight it. If you're impeached, morally, legally that individual should not be able to run office," Haji said.