This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On Mashujaa Day, President Uhuru Kenyatta emphasized the need for a law that would prevent public officials from taking up private engagements that have a conflict of interest on their positions.
Speaking at Nyayo Stadium, the President cited the case of legislators who play an oversight role on other arms of government, acting as lawyers for the very same people they are supposed to supervise.
He directed Attorney General Kihara Kariuki to fast-track a law that seeks to prevent public officials, both elected and appointed, from engaging in situations where there is a conflict of interests.
"Professionals who take up state and public offices should give up private practice. You either serve the public in the role you signed up for or you serve the republic as a private practitioner. It is a profound conflict of interest to do both," the head of state said.
"Our constitutional order is a jealous one; it demands that state and public officers serve no other master but it. A teacher in the Public Service cannot have one foot in the classroom and the other in Parliament. One cannot serve as a legislator at the National or County Level while at the same time practicing law, whether or not for gain," the President added.
The statement came amid a complaint by the Director of Public Prosecutions over the legal representation of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, whose lawyers include Senators Mutula Kilonzo and Kipchumba Murkomen.
Published on December 12, 2019
