A human rights advocate has urged the Council of Governors (CoG) to prohibit Senators, who also practice law, from representing county governments and executives in legal proceedings.
Laban Omusundi, from the Grassroot Civilian Oversight Initiative based in Nakuru, submitted a petition calling for the recusal of lawyer-Senators involved in civil cases. He argues that such representation creates a conflict of interest, as Senators are tasked with overseeing county governments.
“All Senators, whether directly or through their law firms, should be disqualified from representing counties in any civil case in Kenyan courts,” reads part of Omusundi’s petition. He further insists that any legal fees paid to Senators for such services should be refunded to taxpayers.
Omusundi, who advocates for good governance and constitutional adherence, emphasized the potential for Senators to be compromised if they continue to take legal briefs from county executives. He noted that Senators are constitutionally mandated to provide oversight, particularly in areas of governance, integrity, and public resources, and should not represent the very entities they are meant to hold accountable.
Among the Senators involved in representing counties are Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, who has previously defended Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
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