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Wetang'ula faces contempt of court over Ruto campaign order
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is facing contempt proceedings after civil society group Vocal Africa accused him of defying court orders barring him from using the authority of his office to campaign for President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid.
The contempt case relies heavily on Mr Wetang'ula's own social media posts, photographs and public statements published after the High Court conservatory orders were issued.
Vocal Africa argues the publications provide evidence that he continued participating in political mobilisation events despite the court restrictions.
Justice David Mburu on Monday certified the contempt application urgent, directed that it be served immediately and scheduled the matter for further directions on July 16.
The application follows conservatory orders issued on July 8 restraining Mr Wetang'ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from "using, invoking, relying upon or benefitting from the authority, prestige, dignity, influence or incidents" of their constitutional offices in organising, promoting, endorsing or leading partisan political campaigns pending determination of the petition.
Vocal Africa now alleges Mr Wetang'ula knowingly ignored those orders.
According to the application, he addressed public gatherings in Narok North, Sirisia, Matungu, Kabuchai and Webuye East between July 10 and July 12, where he allegedly urged support for President Ruto's re-election and highlighted Kenya Kwanza administration projects.
The organisation further claims the Speaker later publicised the events through his official X (formerly Twitter) account, arguing the posts openly acknowledged conduct that was inconsistent with the court orders. It attached screenshots, links to the posts and photographs of the events as part of its evidence.
"The alleged disobedience is deliberate, continuing and calculated to undermine the authority, dignity and effectiveness of this honourable court," the application states.
It adds that unless addressed urgently, the conduct "is likely to embolden further disregard of judicial authority by holders of constitutional office."
The petitioner also places significant emphasis on Mr Wetang'ula's legal background.
"The first respondent is not only the Speaker of the National Assembly but also an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya," the application states, adding that he is "professionally and constitutionally obligated to uphold the rule of law and obey lawful court orders."
Vocal Africa says the court orders were served physically, electronically through email, social media platform X and iMessage, and argues the respondents had actual knowledge of their contents before the alleged breaches occurred.
The organisation is asking the court to cite Mr Wetang'ula for contempt, and require him to appear personally to show cause why he should not be punished.
Also sought is an order barring any further alleged breaches and compel him to remove from his official social media platforms publications made after July 8 that the applicant says promote the disputed political activities.
It further seeks an order requiring the Speaker to file an affidavit confirming compliance with the conservatory orders and asks that any costs be borne by him personally rather than public institutions.
The substantive constitutional petition against Mr Wetang'ula, Mr Kingi, the IEBC, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney General remains pending before the High Court. The petition tests the political neutrality of parliamentary Speakers.
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