The law society of Kenya LSK has called on Parliament to drop the Aviation Management Bill 2020.
The National Aviation Management Bill, 2020 is currently before the National Assembly for consideration.
It has been committed to the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works, and Housing.
The Bill seeks to nationalize Kenya Airways (KQ) and to merge it with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
The Bill then establishes a single company to run both KQ and KAA upon merger.
LSK has called on MPs to drop the bill because it’s unconstitutional, illegal and lacks public participation.
LSK said it submitted a Memorandum on the Bill to the National Assembly and expected to be accorded the opportunity to appear before the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing to prosecute the matters addressed through the Memorandum.
“Contrary to the dictates of the Constitution and the said legitimate expectations, the relevant Committee of Parliament did not grant the Law Society any or any reasonable opportunity to appear before it to prosecute its said Memorandum,” LSK said in a paid up advert.
LSK said 5 days given to the Public for participation were inadequate.
The Society said it was only given 12 hours to submit its memorandum.
LSK said its opposed to the bill because of Obscure Process of Nationalization, Lack of Feasibility Study, Failure to Value Assets, Corrupt Practices and Bad Governance, Inconsistencies with the Privately Initiated Investment Proposal (PIIP) and Public Finance Management Issues.
LSK also cited Management Challenges Facing KQ, Inefficiencies of Government, Labour/employment Issues, Effect on Small and Medium Businesses (SMES), Non-compliance with International Obligations and International Best Practices
“ The Bill be withdrawn to enable necessary preceding processes including: feasibility study; valuation of assets, liabilities and obligations; formulation and presentation of Policy Paper, the National Treasury recommendation, Cabinet approval and stakeholder engagement and participation to be undertaken to enable informed decision on how best to secure KQ” said LSK Chairman Nelson Havi.