Editor's Review

President William Ruto’s Cabinet could face suspension following a fresh application filed at the High Court by a coalition of civil society organisations.

President William Ruto’s Cabinet could face suspension following a fresh application filed at the High Court by a coalition of civil society organisations seeking enforcement of a court order directing the Head of State to reconstitute the Cabinet within 120 days.

In an update on Tuesday, November 10, Katiba Institute said the application was filed together with CREAW Kenya, TISA Kenya, Crawn Trust Kenya and World March of Women Kenya, challenging Ruto's alleged failure to comply with a judgment issued on June 30.

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The 120-day deadline given by the court lapsed on October 28 prompting the petitioners to return to court seeking orders against the President and members of his Cabinet.

The High Court has certified the application as urgent, setting the stage for a potentially significant legal confrontation over compliance with court orders.

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Among the key prayers, the petitioners want the court to suspend the Cabinet and Cabinet Secretaries from performing any functions of their offices.

They have also asked the court to stop the Secretary to the Cabinet from convening or servicing Cabinet meetings, recording Cabinet decisions or communicating such decisions.

The petitioners further want the Controller of Budget barred from approving the payment of Cabinet Secretaries’ salaries and benefits, as well as any expenditure relating to Cabinet business, effective October 28, 2026.

Additionally, they want the Attorney-General urgently summoned to explain the President’s failure to comply with the court judgment.

The civil society organisations are also seeking a finding that the President’s failure to implement the judgment amounts to wilful disobedience of court orders and therefore constitutes contempt of court.

However, the applicants have asked the court to defer any punishment or personal liability against the President until the end of his term.

"The case will be before a three-judge bench on December 1, 2026," Katiba Institute said.

File image of President William Ruto chairing a Cabinet meeting

This development comes days after human rights organisations and three individuals sued senior security officials over alleged failure to prevent escalating political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The petition was filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Katiba Institute and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), alongside Kwamchetsi Makokha, Mary Kambo and Elphas Osoro, who are also victims of political violence.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, October 28, KHRC, Katiba Institute and IMLU said they are seeking court intervention to compel security agencies to investigate attacks targeting political, civic and religious gatherings, identify those responsible and prosecute the alleged organisers, recruiters and financiers.

"The lawsuit names the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, the Inspector General of Police and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration as respondents," the statement read.

The legal action targets Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji over what the petitioners describe as persistent failures to address organised violence.

The Attorney-General is also named as a respondent, while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have been listed as interested parties.


"They accuse the officials of allowing violence targeting political, civic and religious gatherings to continue despite repeated warnings from senior government leaders. The petitioners say authorities have failed to intervene promptly, investigate cases effectively or secure prosecutions, enabling attackers to operate with impunity. 

"The petition warns that the unchecked violence threatens Kenyans’ constitutional rights and undermines prospects for a free, fair and peaceful 2027 General Election," the statement added