NAIROBI, Kenya — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula is facing contempt of court proceedings after petitioners accused him of violating High Court orders barring him from using the authority of his constitutional office to participate in partisan political campaigns.
The application, filed by lobby group Vocal Africa, follows Wetang’ula’s appearance at a public event in Webuye, Bungoma County, where he urged residents to support President William Ruto’s administration and his expected re-election bid in the 2027 General Election. Petitioners argue the remarks breached conservatory orders issued by the High Court last week.
On July 9, Justice David Mburu issued interim conservatory orders restraining Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from using the powers, prestige and influence of their constitutional offices to support or oppose any political party, coalition or candidate pending the hearing of a constitutional petition.
The petition argues that the Speakers, as presiding officers of Parliament, are required to maintain institutional neutrality and should not participate in partisan political mobilisation while holding office.
The latest application asks the High Court to cite Wetang’ula for contempt, alleging that his public remarks in Bungoma amounted to a deliberate breach of the conservatory orders.
Justice Mburu has certified the application as urgent, directed that it be served immediately on the respondents, and scheduled the matter for mention on July 16, when the court is expected to issue further directions.
Under Kenyan law, contempt proceedings are intended to determine whether a party knowingly disobeyed a lawful court order. The court has not yet made any finding that Wetang’ula is in contempt.
Separately, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said it has not received any formal complaint regarding allegations that Wetang’ula and Kingi have been campaigning for President Ruto’s anticipated August 2027 re-election campaign.
The Commission did not indicate whether it would initiate investigations independently, noting only that no reports had been formally lodged.
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The contempt application stems from a constitutional petition challenging the continued participation of the Speakers in Kenya Kwanza political activities while serving in offices that require impartiality.
The petitioners contend that the Speakers’ constitutional positions require them to remain above partisan politics to preserve Parliament’s independence and public confidence in the institution.
Wetang’ula has recently appeared at several Kenya Kwanza political events, where he has defended the government’s development agenda and urged supporters to back President Ruto ahead of the next General Election.
The High Court is expected to determine whether those appearances violated its conservatory orders as the constitutional petition proceeds.
