Fourteen petitioners have filed a court case seeking to end the office terms of President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua through a popular vote in a referendum.
The petitioners argue that the actions of Ruto and Gachagua during recent anti-government protests have raised serious questions about their competence and ability to effectively govern the nation. In their petition, where Ruto and Gachagua are named as the first and second respondents, the petitioners allege that the leaders failed to manage the political crisis within constitutional boundaries, even deploying Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers against peaceful protesters and reportedly abducting some.
"The legitimacy crisis facing Kenya is so profound that the Petitioners contend and seek to have the tenure/terms of the 1st and 2nd Respondent - as President and Deputy President - terminated through a popular vote in a referendum that should be held by the end of October 2024," reads a portion of the petition. "In a constitutional democracy, there can be no justification for the President to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to prevent unarmed citizens from protesting and picketing as guaranteed by Article 37 of the Constitution."
The petitioners also accuse the police of allowing "political thugs, saboteurs, agent provocateurs, and other goons" to infiltrate the Gen Z-led protests, causing chaos in the country. They call for orders directing the respondents to respect the human rights of protesters, particularly their rights to life, personal safety, and dignity.
Additionally, the petitioners criticize Ruto's decision to consent to the designation of Kenya as a non-NATO ally by the USA, arguing that the move was made without transparency and poses potential risks to Kenya's national security and its non-aligned foreign policy. They are requesting that a five-judge bench be convened to hear the issues raised.
Amid growing dissatisfaction, protesters have demanded President Ruto's resignation, citing a lack of accountability and increasing corruption within the government. Responding to the pressure, Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet and announced austerity measures. He has nominated a new Cabinet, though some members from the previous administration, including Prof. Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Aden Duale (Defence), Alice Wahome (Lands), and Soipan Tuya (Forestry), have been reappointed to different roles. Notably, Ruto has shifted Tuya to the Defence Ministry and Duale to the Forestry docket.
Ruto also nominated former Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano as Attorney-General and former Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir for the Roads and Transport docket. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has confirmed that all Cabinet nominees, including those reappointed, will undergo a thorough vetting process by Parliament.
