LSK push for Wako to quit queried

• Team member criticises advert calling on the AG to resign

A member of the Law Society of Kenya council has disagreed with its decision to push for the resignation of the attorney-general and the solicitor-general.

Dr Ekuru Aukot criticised the council for publishing an advertisement calling on the AG to resign to pave way for reforms.

He spoke a day after a section of civic and religious leaders held a peaceful demonstration in Busia and Samia districts in support of the embattled AG, whose US visa was revoked last week.

Last week, the AG, Mr Amos Wako, was named as the government official who had been banned from travelling to the US after the Obama administration accused him of blocking reforms. Mr Wako later said he would sue the US over defamation.

And on Tuesday, Dr Aukot asked the LSK council to convene a meeting to discuss the matter.

He is seeking an explanation as to why the statement signed by the LSK and the International Commission of Jurists, Kenya Chapter, was published before LSK council could debate on it conclusively. The council has 12 members, including the chairman and vice-chairman.

According to e-mail correspondence obtained by the Daily Nation, Dr Aukot now wants an urgent meeting to be convened to discuss the matter and come up with an all-inclusive position.

“I think we need to revisit this issue in our next meeting, which should really be called for urgently,” he said in the e-mail copied to all council members. The mail was later forwarded to the AG.

Added Dr Ekuru: “I am actually surprised that a statement like that would go to the press without even simple consultation… I wonder why I would also be calling for Mr (Wanjuki) Muchemi’s resignation without considering what the issues are with him.”

When contacted, LSK chief executive Apollo Mboya declined to comment, saying: “I don’t discuss council issues in the press.”

In Busia, local leaders accused the US Government of being influenced by a section of Kenyan politicins who are out to finish Mr Wako.

“The AG is being victimised by certain leaders who want to remove him from office so that they can appoint their tribesmen to that position,” said the leaders who were led by the Busia county council chairman Aggrey Manyasi.