Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has responded to President William Ruto’s criticism over his demand for the agreement between the Kenyan government and Aliko Dangote on the planned Lamu refinery.
Sifuna invoked Article 35 of the Constitution, which provides for citizens’ right to access information held by the State and requires the government to publish and publicise important information affecting the nation.
He said access to such information is a constitutional requirement and cannot be determined by an individual.
Sifuna also criticised the government over what he described as secretive agreements negotiated away from public scrutiny.
His response followed Ruto’s remarks during his tour of the Coast, where the President accused Sifuna of being an extortionist and claimed he was seeking the Dangote agreement on behalf of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto said the document should be obtained through Parliament and accused opposition leaders of seeking information about the refinery project for political purposes.
Sifuna maintained that Kenyans have a constitutional right to access information concerning matters of national importance.
