The Senate has invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to discuss the controversial Conflict of Interest Bill 2023, according to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Speaking on Spice FM, Sifuna explained that the invitation follows ongoing debates in the Senate regarding the current state of the nation's legislative framework and more particularly the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023.
Sifuna highlighted the need for a streamlined legislative process to avoid duplicitous laws.
"We have invited the EACC, and we are going to invite them at the end of the motion that is before the Senate now discussing the question of the state of the nation to come and have a conversation with us if in fact we can be persuaded that there is need for all these duplicitous laws to exist," Sifuna stated.
The vocal legislator opined what should be done is a consolidation of various existing laws that address conflict of interest, aiming to simplify and enhance the legal framework.
"What we are trying to do is amalgamate the law on a single issue, if you have three separate laws that all make reference to conflict of interest, you want to bring them into one law. It is a clean-up of the legislative process," Sifuna explained.
This legislative cleanup is seen as a necessary step to reduce confusion and improve the efficiency of law enforcement, compliance and legislation.
By creating a unified law on conflict of interest, the Senate hopes to eliminate ambiguities and ensure that the regulations are clear and enforceable.
Sifuna explained his position after members of the public faulted him for voting for the removal of important clauses in the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023.
The ODM Secretary General clarified that the Bill had laws that were existing in other documents presenting a case of duplication of governing principles for public officers.
The EACC's involvement is crucial, as it is the primary body responsible for overseeing and enforcing anti-corruption laws in Kenya.
The commission came under sharp scrutiny after it clapped down on Senators for watering down the Bill, accusing them of crippling the war on corruption.
