Senator Nyutu backs court order barring Wetang’ula, Kingi from partisan politics
By Aloys Michael, July 9, 2026Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has welcomed a High Court conservatory order barring National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from engaging in partisan political activities, arguing that the ruling reinforces the constitutional requirement for parliamentary speakers to remain neutral.
Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Nyutu said the offices of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Senate demand strict political impartiality, adding that holders of the positions should avoid participating in political campaigns or attacking rival political leaders.
His remarks come after the Milimani High Court issued conservatory orders restraining Wetang’ula and Kingi from participating in partisan politics pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by human rights organisation Vocal Africa.
Justice David Mburu ruled that, while serving as speakers, the two leaders must not endorse political candidates, campaign for political parties or coalitions, or use the authority and prestige of their constitutional offices to promote partisan political activities.
Reacting to the ruling, Nyutu said there is a clear distinction between the roles of elected politicians and parliamentary speakers.
“If the road in Bungoma has to be talked about, then the politicians, the people that have been elected in Bungoma, talk about it. The Speaker should be a neutral arbiter,” Nyutu said.
The Murang’a senator argued that speakers preside over institutions that perform quasi-judicial functions and should therefore maintain the same level of impartiality expected of judges.
“A Speaker is like a judge. How do we expect Moses Wetang’ula to arbitrate in a neutral manner if he has already shown bias, especially against the opposition?” he posed.
Nyutu further claimed that Wetang’ula has gone beyond defending President William Ruto’s administration by directly attacking opposition leaders during public engagements.
“He does not just point out the things that he thinks President Ruto’s government has done. He actually blasts and attacks opposition leaders. That is different,” Nyutu stated.
According to the senator, such political conduct raises questions about public confidence in parliamentary proceedings chaired by the Speaker.
Conduct of Speaker
He cited the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as an example, questioning whether the process could be viewed as impartial if the Speaker had publicly expressed political positions against opposition figures.
“How would you be convinced that the proceedings in the National Assembly were impartial when they talk so negatively about Rigathi Gachagua?” Nyutu asked.
Nyutu maintained that anyone wishing to remain actively involved in party politics should not occupy the office of Speaker.
“Moses Wetang’ula had been elected as Senator for Bungoma. If he wanted to continue playing politics, he should have remained Senator for Bungoma,” he said.
The senator insisted that neutrality is a full-time constitutional obligation that does not end when the Speaker leaves Parliament.
“You cannot tell me that when a Speaker is out there and is not in the House, that he is not Speaker anymore,” he argued. “A Speaker has no vote. He should not have a side or an opinion. He should just make his ruling depending on the contributions made by the two opposing sides.”
Justice Mburu’s conservatory order temporarily restrains Wetang’ula and Kingi from using the authority, prestige, dignity and influence attached to their constitutional offices to organise, promote, endorse or lead partisan political campaigns.
The court also directed Vocal Africa to serve the petition and supporting application on all respondents by the close of business on Thursday, July 9, 2026, before filing proof of service.
In its petition, Vocal Africa is seeking a permanent injunction barring the two parliamentary speakers from leading, organising, officiating, addressing or endorsing partisan political activities while holding office.
The organisation further wants the court to prohibit Wetang’ula and Kingi from using parliamentary facilities, official security personnel, official transport, communication platforms, parliamentary staff or other publicly funded resources for political mobilisation.
According to the petition, the two speakers have allegedly engaged in political campaigns while benefiting from state resources attached to their offices, conduct the organisation argues violates constitutional principles and the Election Campaign Financing Act.
The case is scheduled for mention on July 16, 2026, when the court will issue further directions as the petition proceeds.