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Knut Nyamira branch told to serve AG with Matemu suit papers

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Published on Thursday, 12 January 2012 11:53

ATTEMPTS by teachers in Nyamira district to block the swearing in of Mumo Matemu as chairman of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has not succeeded. This is because the High Court has not yet given temporary orders stopping his swearing in as sought by Kenya  National Teachers Union, Nyamira branch. The union moved to court last month seeking orders saying their case was extremely urgent.

However, all is not lost because the court can issue orders after hearing arguments from all parties next month. Yesterday, High Court judge Isaac Lenaola directed the union to serve the Attorney General and other interested parties with court documents. The judge told parties to go back on February 10, for further directions.

Although parliament approved Matemu’s nomination, the House is yet to decide whether or not he should be appointed to head the anti-graft body. MPs approved his nomination on December 20. They voted against a report by the Committee on Legal Affairs that had rejected Matemu and two other commissioners on grounds that they lacked “passion”.

Okong'o Omogeni was the highest ranked candidate among those whose names were forwarded to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga by the interviewing panel. Others approved by the two were Ochillo Polycarp instead of Irene Cheptoo Keino and Robert Shaw instead of Jane Kerubo Osongo.

In its recommendation, the House committee had asked for the rejection of the three arguing they lacked drive. In its case, the Knut branch argues that the nomination and approval of the three was "unconstitutional and unprocedural". It says that swearing in Matemu, Osongo and Keino would be in contravention of the constitution.