This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Kenya's Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched an investigation into allegations that at least 10 Members of Parliament (MPs) hold foreign passports, which could be illegal under the law.
The probe comes after activist Okiya Omutatah asked the commission to investigate 10 sitting MPs and one former legislator who allegedly held a foreign passport while in office.
EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mbarak said in a statement that the commission has launched investigations to verify the allegations and will take appropriate action against the public officers in accordance with the law.
"Such action could include initiating mechanism for removal from office for violating Chapter Six of the Constitution," Mbarak said.
The investigation is seen as a potential boomerang for Parliament, which had suggested that Kenya's Ambassadorial nominee to South Korea, Mwende Mwinzi, must renounce her American citizenship before taking the job.
Mwende Mwinzi termed the move illegal and sued, with the case set to be heard on Monday.
Dr Shem Ochuodho, the Global chairperson of the lobby that represents associations of Kenyans abroad, said the National Assembly could be admitting failure in its past vetting as well.
"Why the double standards? Our information is that very senior people in government hold dual nationality including MPs themselves," Dr Ochuodho told the Nation.
