MP Wamalwa calls for Judiciary and Police independence
Kiminini Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Chris Wamalwa has called for the immediate removal of the proposed constitutional amendments that will interfere with the independence of the Judiciary and the Police Service.
MP Wamalwa on Saturday said watering down the independence of the two key government functions would disable them from ensuring the rule of law.
“The powers of appointing an Ombudsman should be vested in the Chief Justice and not the President as suggested in the new constitutional amendments. I am asking His Excellency the President to have this rescinded,’’ the MP spoke at Kiungani during the burial of Brigid Kamaga Nabichenje.
Wamalwa faulted the proposal to create a Police Council to supposedly be chaired by the Cabinet Minister for Internal Security, saying if adopted, it would undermine the role of security agencies that should be non partisan.
‘‘All world over, the police supposed to be non-partisan, and be independent devoid of any micro management as it is the case here where the Minister for Internal sSecurity is given sweeping powers of sole control,’’ he added.
On the proposal to have county revenue increased from 15% to 35%, he said it would address myriad social and economic challenges that have faced devolved units in the quest to strengthen devolution.
The MPs expressed concerns over the spread of coronavirus and asked the County Emergency Response committee to make sure all protocols are adhered to.
‘‘We are challenging the county government of Trans Nzoia to take the lead in the fight against COVID-19 by ensuring that proper measures to curb the rising cases are put in place. Coronavirus is a big threat to the economic situation in the country,’’ he said.