Kenya politicians should be vetted

The Kenya Human Rights Commission insisted that aspirants of elective public office should be investigated and cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission before their names appear in the ballot papers. The commission said they are expecting Constitution legislations to establish a proper vetting system in accordance with Article 10 on Nation Values and Principles and Chapter six of the Constitution. According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) the vetting system would ensure that a candidate presents ten certificates or letters of clearance to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to be allowed to run for office. Atsango Chesoni, Executive Director KHRC, said the purpose is to ensure a free and fair election, integrity of the leaders and adhering to the leadership and integrity bill. “We have narrowed the fundamental vetting principles to a ten point clearance check-list. It must be met by aspiring individuals. We do not want Kenyans to feel nervous after every five years,” said Ms Chesoni.

The check list states that all aspirants must be tax compliant, have a certificate from the Ethics and Anti-corruption commission, clearance from the National Intelligence Service and a clearance letter from the chief registrar of the judiciary. “We ask an aspiring clerk or judge whether they have cleared their Higher Education loan, for a certificate of good conduct, but someone who wants to hold the country in their palm we ask nothing. Infact, they should have more strict standards,” said Atsango. The KHRC has partnered with other civil society groups as well as the Law society of Kenya (LSK) and the IEBC to ensure the list is adhered to by all aspirants. Collins Odhiambo, Deputy Secretary parliamentary affairs and legislation LSK, said LSK would investigate acquisitive information provided to them on aspirants and take them to court if information is found credible. “We want to raise the bar of sanity of election, people we feel do not meet the ten check criteria are disgracing the electioneer process and we will take court action, said Mr Odhiambo. KHRC further stated that they are compiling a profile of aspirants that have been mentioned severely in official and state records for corruption and lack of integrity while in office. Ms Chesoni said that the list of shame of names was obtained from various government commissions formed in the past to investigate allegations against the aspirants. “As a nation we stand condemned, the list of shame was given with recommendations and action to take, but we did nothing. However, the list shows we are not starting from zero,” said Ms Chesoni. The commission that was addressing the press at the launch of the Electoral Process Monitoring Centre in their offices said that chapter six of the constitution states that the conduct of state officials must honor the state.