MPs and Senators have no plans to reconvene before February to approve the nomination of Joseph Boinett as the new Inspector-General of Police. The legislators have agreed not to hurry to approve the nominee because the post left by the former Inspector-General David Kimaiyo had been temporarily filled. Leaders from Senate and the National Assembly told the Nation on Thursday that the lawmakers would wait for the officially recommencing of sittings on February 10 to vet the nominated IG. They said they will prioritise the nomination upon resuming. Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said there was no urgency to fill the position because Deputy Inspector-General of Police Samuel Arachi was already acting in the position. “There is no hurry to approve the nominee. We will wait until the Houses resume in February. There is already an acting Inspector-General. We will make sure it is among the first business upon return from recess,” said Prof Kindiki. The houses also agreed to form a joint committee comprising members from the Senate and National Assembly’s security committees. Tiaty MP Asman Kamama chairs the National Assembly’s committee and will be expected to co-chair the proposed committee with Senate’s counterpart, Mr Yusuf Haji, also Garissa Senator. Senators have demanded that they be part of the vetting process, saying the Constitution demands that both Houses should participate in the appointment of the IG. Article 245 of the Constitution says that: “The Inspector-General is appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament; and shall exercise independent command over the National Police Service, and perform any other functions prescribed by national legislation.” The Security Laws (Amendment) Act also specifies that Parliament (National Assembly and Senate) should approve the nominee before being taken to the President for assent. Prof Kindiki said the senators were pushing to be involved but wanted the Constitution to be followed to the letter. President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Mr Boinett on the eve of the New Year to take over from Mr Kimaiyo who retired from the service last month. Once the select committee is done with interviewing Mr Boinett, a report will be tabled in the Senate and the National Assembly. If the two Houses agree on the committee report, then the nominee will be forwarded to President Kenyatta to formally appoint him the next Inspector-General. If they will not agree, then the matter will betaken before a mediation committee to try to find a consensus. Majority Leader Aden Duale also said there was no plan to recall members from their break because the committee will need more time to vet Mr Boinett and prepare a report to be tabled on the floors of the Houses. “It will be both Houses and we anticipate the formation of a joint committee,” said Mr Duale. It will be the first time senators are being involved in the appointment of a public officer.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:07:23 +0000
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