High Court Petition Seeks Ban on Use of State House for Partisan Politics

By : Mweru Mbugua 

A constitutional petition has been filed at the High Court seeking to have the use of State House for partisan political activities declared unconstitutional

The petition, lodged at the Constitutional and Human Rights Division in Nairobi by lawyer Lempaa Suyianka, argues that public resources have been unlawfully used to advance the interests of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party

Named as respondents are the Attorney General, the Comptroller of State House, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and President William Ruto, who is sued in his official capacity

According to court documents, the petitioner contends that State House and State Lodges are national institutions reserved strictly for official State functions and are maintained using public funds approved by Parliament. He argues that their use for political party activities violates the Constitution and undermines principles of accountability, transparency, and multiparty democracy

The petition lists several political meetings allegedly held at State House between April 2025 and February 2026, including engagements with regional political leaders, party meetings, and a UDA aspirants’ forum that reportedly attracted thousands of party members and officials. The petitioner maintains that these gatherings were not State functions but partisan political activities

It is further alleged that State House facilities, security, staff, logistics, catering, and communication infrastructure were deployed during these events, yet no public disclosure has been made regarding the costs incurred or whether UDA reimbursed the State.

The petitioner accuses the Comptroller of State House of failing to account for the use of public resources during the meetings, contrary to constitutional requirements on public finance management

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Among the orders sought, the petitioner wants the court to compel UDA to reimburse the State for all costs incurred during political activities held at State House and State Lodges. He is also seeking a permanent injunction barring all political parties from holding meetings, forums, or political activities at State House

The petition further argues that allowing one political party to use State House confers an unfair political advantage, erodes the separation between the State and political parties, and weakens Kenya’s multiparty democratic system

The petitioner cites alleged violations of several constitutional provisions, including Articles 10, 73, 75, 129, 131, 201, and 226, as well as sections of the Political Parties Act that prohibit the use of public resources to promote political party interests