National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula could be jailed for up to one month for ignoring a court order that barred him from engaging in political campaigns.
A High Court in Nairobi has now certified as urgent an application seeking to have Wetang’ula found in contempt of court orders.
Wetang’ula, Kingi barred
On July 8, 2026, Judge David Mburu ordered Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to refrain from participating in partisan politics pending the hearing and determination of an application filed against them.
“Pending the inter partes hearing of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the 1st and the 2nd respondents (Wetang’ula and Kingi), while serving as the speaker of the National Assembly and the Senate, respectively, from using, invoking, relying upon or benefiting from the authority, prestige, dignity, influence or incidents of their constitutional offices in the organisation, promotion, endorsement, leadership or conduct of organised partisan political campaigns in support of or opposition to any political party, political coalition or political candidate,” Justice Mburu had ordered.
Vocal Africa has now filed the application and argued that Wetang’ula has deliberately and wilfully disobeyed the conservatory orders.
The human rights body wants the Speaker to be compelled to appear before the court, on a date to be set by the judge, to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt of the conservatory orders.
Looming jail term
Vocal Africa wants Wetang’ula to be committed to civil jail for not less than one month for each political engagement held after July 8, 2026.
The applicants also want the National Assembly speaker to be ordered to pay a fine of Ksh725,017 for each political engagement he engaged in after the conservatory orders were issued on July 8, 2026.
The matter will be mentioned on July 16, 2026, for further directions.
Since the orders were issued, Wetang’ula has engaged in a number of activities where he drummed up support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
On July 12, 2026, the former Sirisia MP graced an event in the Webuye East Constituency where he took part in a Boda Boda empowerment programme.
“Today, I joined boda boda groups in Webuye East Constituency for an empowerment programme, where I urged our people to remain united and support President William Ruto’s re-election bid, citing the transformative development projects his administration has delivered across our region,” Wetang’ula said then.
Wetang’ula in Narok
The speaker also had earlier attended an event in Narok County, where he asked the residents to support the president.
“Today, I joined fellow leaders in Narok North to rally the Maasai community behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid, noting that continued support for his administration will accelerate development and improve livelihoods,” Wetang’ula’s message read.
“Speaking during an empowerment programme for the Enarau Women Group at Enarau Primary School, I highlighted key development projects underway in the region, including the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) through Narok. The project will unlock the county’s economic potential, create jobs and provide affordable, safe and efficient transport.”
