President William Ruto is staring at a legal tussle after a petition was filed challenging his early campaigns. The Law Society of Kenya Vice President, Mwaura Kabata, and Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, have filed a constitutional petition against more than 20 Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of violating the Constitution by engaging in political campaigns and breaching the principles of neutrality and integrity expected of State officers.
Filed on October 24, 2025, through B. Kagunyi & Company Advocates, the case targets nearly the entire Cabinet, along with the Council of Governors and the Inspector General of Police, as Respondents.
The petition, filed before the High Court’s Constitutional and Human Rights Division in Nairobi, challenges Section 25 of the newly enacted Conflict of Interest Act No. 11 of 2025, terming it “unconstitutional, null and void.”
According to the court document, the petitioners argue that the section “in essence enables Cabinet Secretaries and members of the County Executive Committee to manifest support for or opposition to political interests,” contrary to Articles 10, 73, 74, 75, 129, 153, 179, 232, and 260 of the Constitution.
Court on Ruto’s Cabinet Secretaries
They claim that the exemption granted to CSs and CECMs is discriminatory and undermines the political neutrality demanded of all state officers.
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The petitioners cite multiple incidents, including video footage of Cabinet Secretaries allegedly rallying support for President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
Among the examples listed is a speech by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS in Malava, urging teachers to “support the sitting president in his second term presidential bid,” as well as public remarks by the Treasury and Energy CSs in Migori and Bondo, respectively, calling for similar support.
Kabata and Owino insist that such conduct compromises public confidence in the integrity of the office and erodes the constitutional foundation of impartial service.
They further accuse the officials of transforming their offices into political platforms, arguing that this “poses a real danger to good governance, leadership and integrity.”
What the Petitioners Want
In their plea, the petitioners seek a declaration that Section 25 of the Conflict-of-Interest Act is unconstitutional and that all actions by the Respondents manifesting political bias are invalid.
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They also request a permanent injunction restraining all Cabinet Secretaries and County Executive Members from participating in or promoting political activities while in office.
“The inconsistency and unconstitutionality of the impugned section is so glaring and self-evident,” the petition reads, warning that unless the court intervenes.
“Constitutional violations will continue against principles of good governance and rule of law.”
The matter, described in the petition as of great public interest, is expected to test the extent of executive accountability and the balance between politics and constitutional duty within Ruto’s administration.
Re-election campaigns
All Cabinet Secretaries and top government officials are traversing the country in what is seen as early campaigns for the incumbent regime.
From the National Assembly’s speaker, Moses Wetangula, to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the executive and the legislature have converged to drum up support for Ruto’s reelection in 2027.
Mudavadi is on record saying it would be impossible to unseat Ruto in 2027.
“Despite the shifting political dynamics, Ruto still stands a big chance to clinch his second term. I have looked at it again, and I want to tell you it will be very difficult to beat William Ruto in 2027,” Mudavadi told mourners in June 2025, during the burial of Mzee Aggrey Luseno in Sabatia, Vihiga County.
Wetangula has also, on several occasions, urged the Western Kenya region to rally behind Ruto to secure the future in government.
“The Luhya Community stands a better chance of succeeding President Dr William Ruto in 2032. I have therefore urged the community to rally behind Dr Ruto’s second term bid in 2027 in order to realize this,” Wetangula said at a past rally.
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