Petition Filed to Revoke Appointment of Ruto's New Cabinet Over Vetting Flaws

A court petition has been filed challenging President William Ruto's recent appointment of 19 Cabinet Secretaries, seeking to have the appointments invalidated. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and activist Wanjiru Gikonyo filed the petition, arguing that the appointments made on Thursday, August 8, 2024, are unconstitutional due to a flawed vetting process.

As per court documents, the petitioners claim that the vetting process lacked proper public participation and did not adequately address concerns about the integrity and suitability of the candidates. They allege that the National Assembly, the first respondent, did not conduct the vetting in line with constitutional requirements, resulting in the appointment of individuals considered unsuitable for their roles.

The petition also references a recent report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that raised concerns about the conduct of some nominees. The petitioners argue that these issues were disregarded during the vetting process, leading to the clearance of individuals with potential conflicts of interest and questionable ethics.

In addition to requesting the annulment of the Cabinet appointments, the petitioners seek a court directive mandating President Ruto to start a new appointment process that upholds the rule of law. They also demand that the National Assembly be found in breach of the Constitution for failing to ensure sufficient public participation in the vetting process.

The Attorney General, Law Society of Kenya, and Transparency International Kenya are noted as interested parties in the case, alongside the newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries themselves.

The outcome of this petition could have far-reaching consequences for President Ruto's administration, potentially necessitating a complete restructuring of his Cabinet. The court's ruling on this issue is eagerly anticipated, as it could potentially reshape the political landscape in Kenya.