President Uhuru Kenyatta's remarks on legislators who are doubling up as lawyers have sparked a debate among various experts in the field of politics.
The President during his speech on Jamuhuri Day claimed that legislators who function as lawyers are in conflict of interest.
The timing of the sentiments has raised eyebrows as it comes shortly after Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Makueni counterpart Mutula Kilonzo represented Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in court.
While discussing the subject on Thursday night during the News Gang show, Citizen TV's senior political journalist Francis Gachuri questioned what constitutes a conflict of interest.
He further reflected on how Senator Murkomen was part of the lawyers who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta in court during the 2007 Presidential Petition.
"What constitutes a conflict of interest? Because in 2017 during that Presidential petition, senator Murkomen was part of the legal team that represented the President against Raila Odinga in that petition. Was there a conflict of interest then? Prof Kithure Kindiki was also part of that legal team, in 2013 and in 2017. Did it constitute conflict on interest at that time? " Gachuri stated in a video shared by Citizen TV on Twitter.
Gachuri further cited other instances where Members of Parliament have functioned as lawyers including the corruption case against Busia Governor Sospeter Ojamong' and the case against Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.