LSK President Rejects Role in Ruto's Debt Audit Task Force, Cites Constitutional Concerns

In a recent interview with Ramogi TV, Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), publicly declined President William Ruto's invitation to join an independent task force assigned to audit Kenya's national debt.

Odhiambo asserts that the creation of this task force lacks constitutional validity, as no legal framework exists to support its establishment.
She expresses concerns that the task force would replicate the functions of existing government agencies, resulting in unnecessary public spending.

Furthermore, Odhiambo warns that the legality of the task force could be challenged in court by Kenyan citizens, emphasizing that it is likely to be redundant and ineffective in addressing the country’s debt management practices. The task force was launched by President Ruto as a response to rising protests against a recently proposed finance bill.

“We were going to enter into a job that we could not handle because even in the letter that we wrote to the president, we explained that such a task force would prompt opposition from Kenyans,” she states.

Its purpose is to evaluate Kenya's debt management and enhance transparency and accountability in public financial management. The team, headed by Nancy Onyango and supported by Luis Franceschi, includes eight members, among whom is Odhiambo.

However, Odhiambo's rejection of the appointment is rooted in her claims of constitutional infringement, specifically citing Article 229 and its judicial interpretations. Her stance highlights the significance of adhering strictly to constitutional guidelines and avoiding unnecessary duplication of government initiatives.

Odhiambo's decision reignites discussions on implementing effective strategies for tackling Kenya's debt challenges, emphasizing the need for legitimate and impactful measures that utilize existing governmental resources efficiently.

“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 task force is unconstitutional,” she notes.