NAIROBI, Kenya – A constitutional petition has been filed at the Milimani Law Courts seeking orders to stop National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from taking part in partisan political campaigns while serving in their constitutional offices.
The petition, filed by civil society organisation Vocal Africa through lawyer Ian Mutiso Mbotela, argues that the two parliamentary Speakers have violated the Constitution by allegedly using the authority, prestige and influence of their offices to campaign for President William Ruto’s re-election and promote the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
According to court documents, Wetang’ula is accused of participating in several political events between June and July, where he allegedly urged Kenyans to support President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
Among the events cited is a political rally in Likoni, Mombasa County, where the National Assembly Speaker is said to have rallied supporters behind the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The petition also references a public function at Emusire High School in Emuhaya Constituency, where Wetang’ula allegedly encouraged residents to register as voters and back President Ruto’s re-election.
In addition, the petitioner cites a July 3 rally at Silverline Grounds in Eldoret, described as the launch of the “Tutam” campaign, where Wetang’ula allegedly declared the start of Kenya Kwanza’s nationwide campaigns and urged Kenyans to support the President.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi is also accused of participating in United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political mobilisation meetings, including a gathering at Burhani Grounds in Mombasa, where he allegedly endorsed grassroots mobilisation in support of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The petition further claims Kingi attended several political meetings across the Coast region during June and July to campaign for President Ruto’s re-election.
Vocal Africa argues that although the Speakers are entitled to hold personal political views, they cannot use the authority and prestige of their constitutional offices to engage in partisan political activities.
The organisation contends that such conduct undermines Parliament’s institutional independence and conflicts with its constitutional oversight role over the Executive.
The petition asks the court to declare that the Speakers’ actions violate Articles 10, 73, 75, 94, 95, 96 and 232 of the Constitution, alongside provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act, the Public Officer Ethics Act, the Election Offences Act and the Election Campaign Financing Act.
The petitioner is also seeking permanent orders restraining Wetang’ula and Kingi from leading, organising, addressing, endorsing or participating in partisan political campaigns while serving as Speakers of Parliament.
Additionally, the suit seeks to bar the two from using parliamentary facilities, official security, government transport, staff or other public resources for political mobilisation.
Vocal Africa is further asking the court to direct the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the alleged misconduct and file a report within 60 days.
It also wants the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to determine whether the alleged conduct breaches electoral laws and submit its findings to the court.