Court extends orders suspending public debt taskforce

The High Court has extended the interim orders blocking the Public Debt Taskforce by President William Ruto.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi has said further directions on the case will be issued on 18 September 2024.

This is after it emerged that some of the respondents had not been served with the petitions.

Those to be served are the Auditor General and persons appointed to the presidential task force for forensic audit of public debt.

On July 9, Mugambi while certifying the matter as urgent, barred the appointees to the task force from discharging any function until the matter is heard and determined.

He also directed that the application be served to the Attorney General and other respondents within the next three days, with responses expected in seven days.

The case challenging the presidential executive order was filed by Eunice Nganga,  Magare Gikenyi and Eliud Matindi who said the role of debt auditing is constitutionally the mandate of the Auditor General and the task force would thus be wasting financial resources amidst calls for austerity.

The independent task force which has representatives from ICPAK, LSK and the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is expected to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of our public debt and report within three months.

The Law Society of Kenya and its President Faith Odhiambo have declined to take up the appointments.

LSK CEO and Secretary Florence Muturi said the society believes it is unconstitutional.