A civil society organisation has moved to the High Court seeking orders to stop National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from participating in political campaigns, arguing that their conduct undermines the constitutional independence of Parliament.
In a constitutional petition filed before the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court, Vocal Africa contends that the two Speakers have abandoned the neutrality required of their offices by actively campaigning for the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Vocal Africa argues that Parliament is constitutionally mandated to oversee the Executive and that the Speakers' participation in partisan political activities creates a conflict between their official duties and political interests.
"The Constitution created a Parliament that would stand beside the Executive and not behind it," the petition states.
The petitioner adds that the case is not intended to curtail the respondents' political rights but to safeguard the institutional integrity of Parliament.
"This Petition does not seek to regulate electoral competition or restrict political rights. Rather, it raises the constitutional question whether the holders of the offices of Speaker of the National Assembly and Speaker of the Senate may, while continuing to occupy those constitutional offices, actively participate in partisan political campaigns without violating the Constitution," the court papers read.
According to Vocal Africa, Wetang'ula attended several Kenya Kwanza political rallies between June and July, where he urged Kenyans to support President Ruto's re-election. The petition cites events in Likoni, Emuhaya and Eldoret, where the Speaker allegedly addressed supporters and encouraged nationwide political mobilisation.
The organisation further accuses Kingi of participating in political mobilisation meetings organised by the ruling coalition and publicly urging Coast residents to support President Ruto's second-term bid.
"The Respondents have created an objective and continuing conflict between their constitutional responsibilities as presiding officers of Parliament and their partisan political activities," the petition states.
Vocal Africa argues that unless the court intervenes, continued participation by the Speakers in political campaigns risks eroding public confidence in Parliament and blurring the constitutional separation between the Legislature and the Executive.
The petition seeks declarations that the conduct of the two Speakers violates Articles 10, 73, 75, 94, 95, 96 and 232 of the Constitution, as well as provisions of the Leadership and Integrity Act, the Public Officer Ethics Act and the Election Offences Act.
It also wants the High Court to issue permanent injunctions barring Wetang'ula and Kingi from leading, organising, officiating at, endorsing or addressing partisan political campaigns while serving as Speakers.
Additionally, the petitioner seeks orders directing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the alleged breaches and file reports before the court.
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