Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando has raised concerns about the proposed bill that seeks to allow corrupt convicts to be elected and hold public office.
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to repeal the provision that bars corruption and economic crimes convicts from holding public office.
The proposed law is sponsored by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
In a statement on Friday, Kabando questioned Kaluma's party leader and the party's opinion on the controversial bill.
"The Bill by Homabay MP Kaluma proposing to permit graft suspects to occupy and run for public office is a setback to the war on corruption EACC Kenya," he said.
"What is his sponsoring party (ODM), ODM party leader Raila Odinga and Secretary General Edwin Sifuna got to say about this? For whom is MP Kaluma acting?"
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was introduced in the National Assembly for first reading, is also likely to trigger fierce reactions from the anti-corruption crusaders.
Kaluma, in his Bill, repeals section 64 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, of 2003.
The provision disqualifies persons convicted of graft from holding public office at least 10 years after the conviction.
“A person who is convicted of corruption or economic crime shall be disqualified from being elected or appointed as a public officer for ten years after the conviction,” the Act states.
The new Bill comes months after the MPs deleted section 62 of the Act that protects elected leaders and independent officeholders under investigation for graft from stepping aside
