City lawyer and former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Allen Gichui,has revealed why he turned down a lucrative government job.
Through a gazette notice, Gichuhi had been appointed to serve as the chairperson of the Industrial Property Tribunal by Industrialization Cabinet Secretary (CS), Betty Maina.
In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the city lawyer, while admitting to being honored to have been considered for the job, disclosed that he turned it down the offer for several reasons, one of them being that he had not been consulted.
"I was not consulted about my availability and willingness to take up this appointment," the letter addressed to CS Maina read in part.
Gichuhi also questioned the process that led to his appointment stating that he had not been aware of any open, fair and competitive recruitment exercise involved as required.
He further explained that serving as the chair of the tribunal would cause a conflict of interest, given that he worked with a law firm that handles cases that may be brought before the tribunal.
"I regret that such an appointment would cause a conflict of interest in matters that my firm handles for various clients that may give rise to a dispute before the Industrial Property Tribunal," Gichuhi wrote.
The former LSK president also stated that he would not be able to take the job as he was already handling a heavy workload in his firm.
In addition, he told the CS that his pursuit for further education and other personal commitments would not allow him to fully execute his mandate.
He also raised concern on how the tribunal would have two chairmen serving simultaneously, arguing that the current chairman was still in office and that his term would expire in July, 2022.
The city lawyer signed off the letter by requesting for his appointment to be degazetted and for someone else to be appointed in his place.
