Nyamu believed that Odhiambo would have represented the LSK and Kenyans at large, thus by turning down the appointment, the chance for representation was gone.
Nominated Senator, Karen Nyamu on Saturday night, July 6 claimed that Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, wasted a rare opportunity by rejecting an appointment by President William Ruto to be a member of the Presidential taskforce which will carry out a forensic audit of the country’s public debt.
In a statement shared via her social media platforms, Nyamu expressed uncertainty regarding the rationale by Odhiambo to decline the appointment, which would have seen her be part of an eight-member committee which would be tasked with reviewing the current stock of public and publicly guaranteed debt.
Nyamu believed that Odhiambo would have represented the LSK and Kenyans at large, thus by turning down the appointment, the chance for representation was gone.
A collage of LSK President Faith Odhiambo (left) and President William Ruto (right). /PCS
“She has turned down an opportunity to have Kenyans’ interests represented by the premier bar association in line with one of its objectives to protect and assist the public in Kenya in all matters touching, ancillary or incidental to the law,” she stated in part.
Nyamu further accused Odhiambo of lacking enthusiasm in solving the country’s debt crisis, which the Senator opined was a massive challenge hindering the country’s growth, with the task force set up by President Ruto a first step in solving that crisis.
“Public debt is a momentous challenge we face as a country and I’m somewhat disappointed that she wasn’t eager to be part of the first step to figuring it out,” she added.
Nyamu made reference to a statement earlier released by LSK Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Florence Muturi which termed the task force unconstitutional since the mandate to conduct public audits rests with the office of the Auditor General.
“It is our considered view that the establishment of the task force is unconstitutional. The mandate to audit public debt rests with the office of the Auditor-General,” the statement read in part.
LSK further pointed out the Auditor General is required by law to audit the public debt within six months after the end of each financial year.
The holder of the office is also mandated to audit the accounts of the national and county governments, all courts, every commission and independent office established by the Constitution, the National Assembly, the Senate and the county assemblies and the accounts of political parties funded by public funds.Â
Further, the Office on Public Debt Management, headed by a Director-General at the Treasury and funded by public money, is required to provide details of public debt to the Auditor General for forensic audit.Â
“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, under its statutory mandate, advises the President to refrain from usurping the Constitutional powers of the Auditor-General through Executive Orders and allow the Auditor-General to perform her constitutional duties,” the society appealed.
