The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and its President Faith Odhiambo have declined an appointment to the Public Debt taskforce formed by President William Ruto on Friday.
LSK CEO and Secretary Florence Muturi stated that the society believes the taskforce is unconstitutional and that its members would not participate in it. The legal body emphasized that the president should not override the Constitution by appointing individuals to carry out duties already assigned to existing public offices.
LSK argued that the mandate to audit public debt rests with the office of the Auditor-General.
“Taking cognisance of the provisions of Article 229 of the constitution and the interpretation of the said provisions by the court, it is our considered view that the establishment of the taskforce is unconstitutional,” LSK said in a statement dated July 5 and signed by Muturi.
“The Council of the Law Society of Kenya has thus resolved that neither our president nor any of our members shall take up appointments or participate in the said taskforce.”
The LSK further noted that their decision is also informed by a recent High Court ruling that underscored the Auditor-General’s role in public audits.
Ruto had appointed a four-member team to audit the country’s public debt and release a report within 90 days.
The team is to be chaired by Nancy Onyango and deputized by Professor Luis Franceschi.
Other members include Shammah Kiteme, Vincent Kimosop, and Philip Kaikai.
