Ruto, Gachagua ‘in trouble’ as petitioners seek for their removal from office

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have a new hurdle to contend with. This is after 14 petitioners moved to court seeking the termination of their first term in office, through a popular vote in a referendum.

The petitioners claim that the conduct of President Ruto and his deputy, especially during the youth-led protests, ‘cast a doubt on their suitability’ to lead the country, until the end of their first term in 2027.

One of the arguments by the petitioners is that the President and his deputy have failed to effectively deal with the political crisis occasioned by the protests.

"The legitimacy crisis facing Kenya is so profound that the petitioners contend and seek to have the tenure or 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 end of October, 2024," reads 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."

They called out police for allegedly allowing "political thugs, saboteurs, agent provocateurs, and other goons" to infiltrate the Gen Z protests and cause mayhem in the nation.

"Given the brutality, abductions and cold-blooded executions that the police have hitherto unleashed on protesters, it is important that orders be given to direct the Respondents to respect the human right of protesters particularly the rights to life, personal safety and human dignity."

The petitioners are now demanding that a 5-judge bench be formed to hear the matters raised.

However, according to the 2010 constitution, the President and Deputy can only be removed from office through being voted out during the general elections, impeachment and on grounds of incapacity, as read in Articles 144 and 145.