- A bold petition filed by 14 Kenyans at Nairobi’s High Court seeks a referendum to remove President William Ruto and Deputy Rigathi Gachagua from office
- The petitioners accused the two of constitutional violations and mishandling of anti-government protests
- They argue the president’s deployment of military forces against unarmed civilians exacerbated Kenya’s economic and political instability
14 Kenyan citizens today filed a petition at the High Court seeking a referendum to remove President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua from office.
The petitioners claim that the president and his deputy have violated the constitution by permitting extrajudicial killings of anti-government protesters by police.
Unconstitutional Deployment of Military
The petitioners argue that President Ruto’s decision to deploy military forces against unarmed civilians during protests was unconstitutional. “In a constitutional democracy, there can be no justification for the President to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to prevent unarmed citizens,” they stated.
Economic Crisis and Fear of State Collapse
The petition also highlights the severe economic crisis that has gripped Kenya, exacerbated by the withdrawal of the Finance Bill.
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Petitioners warn that this situation could lead to Kenya’s collapse, similar to recent events in Sri Lanka, Lebanon, or Sudan.
Accusations of Demeaning Protesters
Ruto has been accused of labelling protesters as saboteurs, treason mongers, and faceless anarchists, despite their calls for a better Kenya. The petitioners assert that such derogatory terms only serve to inflame tensions and undermine legitimate dissent.
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Call for a Referendum and Judicial Intervention
The petitioners demand the court’s authorization for a referendum to oust President Ruto and his deputy through a popular vote.
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They also seek a court directive to annul the agreement between President Ruto and US President Joe Biden, which designates Kenya as a non-NATO ally of the US.
Withdrawal of Military from Protests
A critical part of the petition calls for the withdrawal of military officers from the streets during anti-government demonstrations. This demand follows recent protests across the country that resulted in over 50 deaths and 400 injuries.
