High Court suspends Ruto's gazette notice appointing debt taskforce

Last week, President Ruto assigned the task force to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of the country’s public debt and report within three months. [PCS]

The High Court has suspended President William Ruto’s gazette notice appointing a taskforce meant to probe the country’s debt.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi, on Monday, issued a conservatory order prohibiting the taskforce from discharging any duties pending hearing of the case.

"Pending the hearing and determination of this application, an interim order be and is here by issued prohibiting the Respondents, either by themselves, anyone else acting at their behest, instructions directions or any other person whosoever, from discharging any function pursuant to the executive order number 4... establishing the presidential task force on forensic audit of public debt."

The case was filed by Nakuru doctor Gikenyi Magare and activist Eliud Matindi.

According to official statistics by the end of March, a forensic audit of the country's public debt stood at Sh10:39 trillion.

Last week, President Ruto assigned the task force to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of the country’s public debt and report within three months.

The taskforce would be chaired by Nancy Anyango and deputised by Prof Luis Franceschi.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) said it would not participate in the taskforce, arguing the move is unconstitutional as the mandate rests solely with the Auditor-General.