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On Saturday night, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu criticized Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo for declining President William Ruto’s appointment to a task force aimed at auditing the increasing public debt.
In a statement shared on her platforms, Senator Karen Nyamu argued that LSK President Faith Odhiambo was unjustified in declining the appointment. Nyamu claimed that it was an opportunity for Odhiambo to represent the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenyan public at large.
“I’m not sure of the rationale for LSK President Faith Odhiambo declining the President’s appointment to the task force that will conduct a forensic audit of public debt,” stated Senator Karen Nyamu.
“She has turned down an opportunity to have Kenyans’ interests represented by the premier bar association,” Nyamu added.
Additionally, Nyamu critiqued Faith Odhiambo, stating that her rejection of the nomination reflected a lack of enthusiasm for participating in solving Kenya’s debt crisis.
Nyamu argued that Kenya’s debt crisis is one of the greatest challenges to the country’s growth, and the task force set up by the President was the first step toward resolving the issue.
“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,” stated Nyamu.
Nyamu’s sentiments referred to the LSK President’s statement on the Public Debt Audit Taskforce published on Saturday.
In the statement, the LSK declined the appointment of its president or any other member to the committee, labeling the taskforce as an unconstitutional office.
“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 task force is unconstitutional,” the LSK noted in a statement.
The LSK further elaborated that the task force would override the constitutional provisions that mandate the audit of the national debt to be carried out by the Auditor General’s office.
Additionally, the LSK pointed out that the committee would consume limited public resources, which are already scarce.
