Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo declines President Ruto’s appointment to the debt taskforce. The LSK deems the taskforce unconstitutional, stating that only the Auditor General has the authority to audit public debt.
President Faith Odhiambo, of the Law Society of Kenya, has declined to accept President William Ruto’s Friday appointment to the Public Debt Taskforce.
Florence Muturi, LSK’s CEO and secretary, stated that the organization believes the taskforce is illegal and that none of its members will participate in it.
LSK contended that the Auditor General’s office has the authority to audit public debt.
“Taking cognizance 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,” Muturi signed a statement from LSK on July 5.
“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 task force.”
The LSK also noted that a recent High Court ruling emphasizing the Auditor-General’s participation in the public audit influenced their decision.
In the lawsuit against him for forming a task group to investigate the county’s debt, the High Court ruled that Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya could have requested the Auditor General to conduct a forensic audit.
LSK continued by urging the government to permit the Auditor-General to carry out her constitutional responsibilities and discouraging the usurpation of the Auditor-General’s constitutional authority through Executive Orders.
“The Office on Public Debt Management, headed by a Director-General at the Treasury and funded by public money, should provide details of public debt to the Auditor General for a forensic audit,” LSK stated.
“It is critical not to use scarce public resources by appointing a taskforce to perform the duties of existing public offices.”
