TJRC Report In Danger - MPs BY FRANCIS MUREITHI Friday, November 29, Some MPs have warned that the report prepared by the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission risks being altered by their colleagues in the House. They said the “tyranny of numbers” is likely to be used to push through amendments to the report to safeguard interests of influential people mentioned in the report. While opposing an amendment to the TJRC Act yesterday, Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo said the work of the commission will be undermined. Odhiambo said the country must genuinely deal with historical injustices. She said Kenyans should learn from countries which have been affected by genocide, such as Rwanda, as a result of historical injustices. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the TJRC Act of 2008 and allow MPs to have an input on the final report. Kitui Central MP Benson Mulu said MPs should not water down the report. He said the release of the report took a long time and consumed immense public resources. Mulu warned that in the past, objective recommendations from commissions were lost once the MPs took over. He said such reports have been affected by the day’s politics. Mulu added that some of the names mentioned are “mighty,” and there is risk of politics taking centre stage to protect those named. “That is my fear even as I support this motion,” he said. Leader of Majority Adan Duale however said Parliament was not out to water down the report but create a framework for its implementation. He said most of the sections of the report will remain as drafted by the commission. Duale said MP should have an input on how the recommendations will be implemented with the House providing an oversight. William Cheptumo (Baringo North) said no one should cast aspersions that the MPs will not debate the report objectively. He noted that the original act denied MPs a chance to look at the recommendations though they are the representatives of the people. James Nyikal (Seme) while supporting the amendment challenged Jubilee side, which has majority in Parliament, not to take advantage and alter it. “When this report comes to us, we must be guided by nothing else but the truth,” he said. Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) challenged MPs to reflect on the injustices meted on Kenyans in the past and safeguard the recommendations contained in the report. President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are among those adversely mentioned over the violence for which they face trial at the International Criminal Court. No action, however, is recommended against them. TJRC recommends that the Director of Public Prosecutions investigate the adversely mentioned individuals, against whom the report finds there is ample evidence capable of sustaining prosecution. It also names dozens of former MPs, former provincial commissioners and senior military and police officers implicated in all sorts of violations including land grabbing and torture. Also listed includes a host of serving senior police officers, including retired police chiefs and intelligence officers who are implicated in the torture of detainees and political assassinations.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:05:33 +0000
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