Allan Kisia
Image: FILE
The National Assembly rejected recommendations of a committee to reprimand Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi for leaking a confidential House document to the media.
A report of the Powers and Privilege Committee chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi had recommended action against Gedi for leaking the document with information about a leaked sex tape involving her.
The leaked document indicated that detectives investigating the tape had zeroed in on four MPs whom they wanted to record statements at DCI headquarters.
Following the decision by MPs, Muturi directed the committee not to take up new work until law is amended to exempt the Speaker from chairing the committee.
Muturi said chairing the committee and then being the Speaker during debate was conflicting.
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi wanted Gedi reprimanded for allegedly leaking the document to avoid such incidents in future. He said parliamentary staff who gave Gedi the document should also be reprimanded.
“We all have confidential documents in this House. The House has confidential documents of all public servants and it would be very bad it we let her go with it,” he said.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said MPs were not out to punish Gedi but were keen on sending a warning that nobody should leak confidential House documents in future.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Ojiambo however said it was unfair to debate the conduct of a colleague in full view of the public.
“It is unAfrican to debate the conduct of an elected leader in public. For that reason, I oppose the report of the committee. All that has happened to her is enough punishment,” he said.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa said MPs were not debating the conduct of Gedi but the contents of the report.
Muturi however said the House was at liberty to debate the conduct of anybody including the President and the Speaker.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris said Gedi admitted to the committee to having asked for the documents but not leaking them.
“It is wrong for Barasa to mislead the public that Gedi admitted that she leaked the documents to the media. She only admitted to having acquiring the document,” she said.
The committee said its probe found Gedi guilty of breaching the Leadership and Integrity Act.
According to the committee findings, Gedi coerced a parliamentary officer identified as Noor Mohamed Adan to give her the confidential letter to DCI.
Source: The Star
