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The High Court has issued conservatory orders barring National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi from using the authority, prestige and influence of their constitutional offices to participate in partisan political campaigns pending the hearing and determination of a constitutional petition.
Justice David Mburu of Milimani High Court issued the orders after certifying as urgent a petition filed by lobby group Vocal Africa challenging the two Speakers' participation in political campaigns while serving as the presiding officers of Parliament.
The judge directed that, pending the inter partes hearing of the application, Wetang'ula and Kingi must not use the powers or influence attached to their constitutional offices to support or oppose any political party, coalition or candidate.
"Pending the inter-partes hearing of this application, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the 1st and 2nd Respondents( Wetang'ula and Kingi ), while serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Speaker of the Senate respectively, from using, invoking, relying upon or benefiting from the authority, prestige, dignity, influence or incidents of their constitutional offices in the organization, promotion, endorsement, leadership or conduct of organized partisan political campaigns in support of or opposition to any political party, political coalition or political candidate," Justice Mburu ordered.
