President Uhuru Kenyatta has kicked off a campaign to block parliamentarians from engaging in private practice, after faulting senators and MPs for representing corruption suspects in court.
Addressing the nation during the Jamhuri Day celebrations in Nairobi on Thursday, Uhuru stressed on the need for elected representatives to stick to their roles, saying that double practice will amount to a conflict of interest.
He noted that the common instances where lawmakers, who should be the oversight authority on how governors utilize public monies, are representing governors accused of misusing the same money are unfair.
“Is it fair and right for legislators who have control over funds and exercise oversight over the Judiciary to appear in courts as counsel? Is it fair on the judicial officer hearing the case or the other parties that, one party in the case is represented by persons who can literally change the law applicable to the dispute, control the career progression of the judge or magistrate or are able to speak with the voice of an entire arm of Government?” he posed.
Consequently, Uhuru has now directed Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki to come up with a Conflict of Interest Bill, which is then to be taken to the cabinet for approval before being tabled in parliament.
Uhuru seeks to use the same to bar double practice from public officers doubling up as practising professionals.
This is after he stated that those in public service will henceforth have to choose to either work for the people or go into private practice.
Uhuru made the remarks as an assurance of his commitment to the fight against corruption, which has been seen to intensify in his second and last constitutional term.