Investigate lawmakers with dual nationality, urges lobby
A lobby has petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate at least 10 sitting and former MPs over dual citizenship allegations.
Kenyans for Justice and Development, in a letter dated October 1, wants National Assembly Leader of Majority Aden Duale and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, among other lawmakers, investigated on claims they hold dual nationality.
The group says the issue of dual citizenship was used to block Mwende Mwinzi’s appointment as Kenya’s ambassador to South Korea. Further, the issue was challenged in the High Court following her vetting by the National Assembly.
In the period since, the lobbyists held that EACC has received instructions from National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to investigate Mwinzi on her citizenship and whether she had renounced her US citizenship.
“We draw your attention to the fact that on June 9, Hon Katoo ole Metito, the chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations called on EACC to initiate a probe into whether there are State officers bearing dual nationality,” said Omtatah, the lobby’s executive director.
Give findings
“In the spirit of adhering to the rule of the law and applying the law consistently and equally to all, it is of overwhelming national importance and public interest that our legislators submit to the same standards they have set for our diplomats,” he added in his letter addressed to the EACC chairperson Eliud Wabukala.
Omtatah says the Constitution expressly prohibits MPs from possessing dual nationality if it was acquired through naturalisation.
Other MPs on EACC’s radar over nationality include Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Safia Sheikh (Marsabit Woman Rep), Adan Haji (Mandera South), Mohammed Dahir (Dadaab), Mohammed Garane (Lagdera), Charles Ngusya (Mwingi West) and Jane Kihara (Naivasha).
Omtata said should the EACC fail to conduct the investigations and give its findings in the next 15 days — from October 1— he will move to court to seek orders compelling the authority to probe the claims.
