Wetang’ula and Kingi political ban petition dismissed
By Zipporah Ngwatu, July 24, 2026Milimani High Court Judge David Mburu has struck out a petition filed by a human rights organisation, Vocal Africa, seeking a permanent injunction restraining National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from engaging in politics.
The petitioners urged the court to block Wetang’ula and Kingi from leading, organising, officiating, addressing, promoting, endorsing or otherwise participating in partisan political campaign activities while holding their current offices.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Judge Mburu upheld the preliminary objection filed by the respondents, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear both the petition and the motion filed by Vocal Africa.
The Court noted that the matters raised in the petition against the two-house speakers over the integrity and leadership should be handled by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) constitutionally.
In addition, Justice Mburu averred that the petitioner did not exhaust the required channels because there was no complaint lodged with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and EACC, which are the statutory bodies charged with hearing and determining the kind of issues raised by the petitioners.
“That on the basis of the doctrine of exhaustion, this court lacks jurisdiction to deal with the matters raised in the petition dated July 6, 2026 with regard enforcement of Chapter 6 of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act as such jurisdiction lies with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” Judge Mburu ruled.
“The petition dated July 6, 2026, is hereby struck out, and each party shall bear its own costs.”
In the petition, Vocal Africa argued that it is unconstitutional for Wetang’ula and Kingi to use security detail attached to them, motorcades, and other things to campaign and push for rte-eletion of President William Ruto in the next general election, citing that their actions go against the Election Campaign Financing Act.