"WE will not favour, we will not fear," were the words from the new Kenya Anti- Corruption Commission Executive Director as he accepted his official appointment as the country's anti-corruption czar.

On Friday, President Kibaki appointed Dr PLO Lumumba the new KACC boss and Prof Jane Onsongo and city lawyer Pravin Bowry assistant directors.

Speaking to the Star, Dr Lumumba said that he will lead the anti-graft agency into a "gloveless" war on corruption.

"The mandate we have been given is as clear as crystal, it is a new dawn and we want to walk into it together as Kenyans. The task ahead is one which is not easy but we must deliver," Dr Lumumba said.

Dr Lumumba said he will not favour any individual with corrupt tendencies and urged Kenyans to help in the war.

Through a gazette notice published yesterday the President said that the appointments will each last five years.

His two deputies will replace Fatuma Sichale and Dr Smokin Wanjala who both resigned at the height of the same pressure.

Lumumba, a renowned city lawyer, served in the defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission CKRC) as its secretary.

Prof Onsongo has been lead of research at the 4 Catholic University while Bowry is an advocate.

By Isaac Ongiri

PARLIAMENT is yet to decide on the choice of lawyer PLO Lumumba for the top anti-corruption job, it emerged yesterday.

Parliamentary committee on administration of justice chaired by Mohamed Abdikadir said it is yet to meet to deliberate on the choice offered by the Okong'o Omogeni-chaired Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission advisory board.

Abdikadir said the choice of Lumumba and two other assistant director nominees Pravin Bowry and Prof Jane Onsogo remained the board's choices and Parliament will have its say.

"We have not been able to meet for a number of reasons, one being that this fell on Christmas eve and as you know, most members were away. And so as of now and until we meet, the names we have remain the board's choice," Abdikadir said.

He said his team would meet as soon as enough quorum is raised and would work out on the names to ensure that by the time the House reconvenes, the committee dispenses the matter.

Lumumba is slated to fill the position of former director Aaron Ringera who resigned early last month following public pressure.

On the other hand, Bowry and Onsongo are to replace Dr Smokin Wanjala and Fatuma Sichale who also resigned alongside Ringera after Parliament quashed a presidential decision reappointing them for another five-year term.

The three had been reappointment without recourse to proper legal procedures set out in the law and which now the advisory board is following.

Under the law, the board nominates candidates and forwards them to Abdikadir's committee which deliberates and if satisfied of their merits, tables their names in Parliament for endorsement.

Once Parliament approves of the nominees, the President is at liberty to formally appoint them to their positions.

Yesterday, Abdikadir said his committee would also be deliberating on the nominees for the dispute resolution committee